Blockchain enabled Cybersecurity: Concepts, Applications and Future Directions

Abstract

The continuous growth of interconnected systems, cloud services, and Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices has expanded the attack surface and intensified modern cyber risks, revealing significant weaknesses in centralized security architectures. Blockchain technology, characterized by decentralized control, immutable record-keeping, and cryptographic verification, offers a robust alternative for strengthening cybersecurity across multiple operational domains. This review analyzes the core technical components of blockchain such as distributed ledgers, consensus mechanisms, and network models and explains their relevance to enhancing security functions. It further examines practical applications in network protection, identity and access management, IoT device security, cloud data governance, and software supply-chain assurance. It highlights emerging research directions, including lightweight blockchain solutions for constrained IoT environments, cross-chain security architectures, artificial intelligence-based blockchain threat analytics, and quantum-resilient cryptographic infrastructures.