Security in the Internet of Things Application Layer: Requirements, Threats, and Solutions

Abstract

Communication systems and networks are evolving as an integral part of not only of our everyday life but also as a part of the industry, fundamental infrastructures, companies, etc. Current directions and concepts, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), promise enhanced quality of life, greater business opportunities, cost-effective manufacturing, and efficient operation management through ubiquitous connectivity and deployment of smart physical objects. IoT networks are able to collect, pre-process, and transmit a huge amount of data. A considerable portion of this data is security- and privacy-critical data, which makes IoT networks a tempting option for attackers. Given that these networks deal with the actual aspects of our lives and fundamental infrastructures (e.g. smart grids), cybersecurity in such networks is crucial. The large scale of these networks and their unique characteristics and complexity bring further vulnerabilities. In this study we give an introduction to IoT, focusing on the IoT application layer, security requirements, threats, and countermeasures in this layer, and some of the open issues and future research lines.