Blockchain-IoT Integration: A Systematic Review of Security Challenges and Future Directions

Abstract

The convergence of blockchain technology with Internet of Things (IoT) security frameworks represents a significant advancement in addressing modern cybersecurity challenges. As IoT networks expand to encompass billions of connected devices, traditional centralized security approaches prove increasingly inadequate in managing the scale, complexity, and heterogeneity of these systems. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of blockchain-IoT integration, examining how distributed ledger technology can enhance IoT security through immutable device identity, decentralized architecture, and automated policy enforcement. Through extensive literature review spanning recent research and implementations, we investigate both the transformative potential and significant implementation challenges, including standardization issues, resource constraints, and privacy concerns. The research also explores emerging solutions and future directions, particularly in consensus mechanism optimization, hybrid architectures, and the integration of edge computing. Our findings indicate that while blockchain technology offers promising solutions for critical IoT security requirements, successful implementation demands careful consideration of resource limitations, scalability needs, and standardization efforts.