Securing Smart Agriculture: Proposed Hybrid Meta-Model and Certificate-based Cyber Security Approaches

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a decentralized network of physically connected devices that communicate with other systems and devices over the internet. As the number of IoT-based devices continues to grow at an exponential rate, this technology has the potential to improve nearly every aspect of daily life, from smart networks and transportation to home automation and agriculture. However, the absence of adequate security measures on all levels of the IoT poses a significant security risk, with the potential for cyber-attacks and data theft. While scholars have suggested various security measures, there are still gaps that need to be addressed. In this study, we analyzed previous research and proposed metamodels for security, IoT, and machine learning. We then proposed a new IoT-based smart agriculture model with integrated security measures to mitigate cyber- attacks and increase agricultural output. Our model takes into account the unique features of the smart farming domain and offers a framework for securing IoT devices in this specific application area. Moreover, in order to mitigate a range of cyber security attacks across various layers of IoT, we introduced two certificate-based schemes named CBHA and SCKA for smart agriculture. A comparative analysis of their security with existing literature demonstrates their superior robustness against diverse attacks. Additionally, security testing utilizing scyther affirms the resilience and security of both CBHA and SCKA, establishing them as viable options for ensuring security in smart agriculture.