SECURING NEXT-GENERATION IOT NETWORKS WITH BLOCKCHAIN- ENABLED DECENTRALIZED TRUST FRAMEWORKS

Abstract

The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to an unprecedented rise in interconnected devices, generating vast volumes of sensitive data that demand robust security and trust mechanisms. Traditional centralized architectures often struggle to ensure integrity, privacy, and resilience against single points of failure, making them unsuitable for next-generation IoT ecosystems. This paper proposes a blockchain-enabled decentralized trust framework to strengthen the security, transparency, and reliability of IoT networks. By integrating distributed ledger technology with lightweight consensus protocols, the framework establishes immutable device identities, secure data exchange, and automated access control without dependence on centralized authorities. The proposed approach enhances interoperability among heterogeneous IoT devices while minimizing latency and computational overhead. Experimental evaluation and comparative analysis demonstrate that the blockchain-based trust model effectively mitigates common threats such as data tampering, spoofing, and unauthorized access, paving the way for a scalable and trustworthy foundation for future IoT applications.