A Blockchain-Based Framework for Ensuring Device Integrity in the Internet of Things

Abstract

With the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT), the integrity of connected devices has emerged as a critical concern. Malicious actors increasingly target vulnerabilities in device firmware, communication protocols, and system configurations, compromising the reliability and trustworthiness of data. Traditional security mechanisms have struggled to scale with the decentralized and heterogeneous nature of IoT networks. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a blockchain-based framework designed to safeguard the integrity of IoT devices. The framework leverages a lightweight consensus mechanism and a distributed ledger to establish tamper-evident records of device behavior and configuration states. Additionally, smart contracts are employed to automate verification processes, detect anomalies, and enforce compliance with integrity policies in real time. The case study conducted demonstrates how this approach enables secure attestation of device states while minimizing computational overhead, making it suitable for resource-constrained environments. The proposed framework represents a step forward in embedding trust into the fabric of IoT systems through decentralized integrity assurance mechanisms.