Integration of Blockchain with IoT Networks for Secure Data Sharing

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) revolution has led to unprecedented interconnectivity among smart devices, enabling applications across smart homes, industrial automation, logistics, healthcare, and smart cities. However, traditional centralized architectures expose IoT systems to single points of failure, data tampering, unauthorized access, and trust issues. The integration of blockchain technology with IoT promises robust, decentralized solutions for secure, transparent, and tamper-resistant data sharing. This paper explores the synergy between blockchain and IoT to enhance data integrity, access control, and auditability. We review existing literature (pre-2022) on architectures combining lightweight blockchains, distributed ledgers, and consensus mechanisms tailored for resource-constrained IoT environments. A hybrid methodology is proposed encompassing simulation and pilot deployment to evaluate performance, security, latency, and energy overhead. In controlled simulations using frameworks like Ethereum-based testnets or Hyperledger Fabric with IoT emulators, and pilot setups with actual sensor nodes (e.g., Raspberry Pi, Arduino) interfacing with blockchain clients, we assess transaction throughput, consensus delay, data tamper resistance, and network scalability. Key findings indicate that while blockchain integration significantly strengthens data trustworthiness and resilience to tampering (data immutability >99%), it introduces latency (50–200 ms per transaction) and additional energy consumption (up to 15–25%). Hybrid blockchain–offchain models (e.g., local storage with periodic anchoring) can mitigate these overheads while preserving security guarantees. We propose a workflow linking IoT device data generation, blockchain anchoring, off-chain data storage, smart contract–based access control, and audit logging. The trade-offs—security and immutability versus performance and resource demands—are discussed. We conclude that blockchain-integrated IoT architectures can offer strong security benefits and trust mechanisms but must be carefully designed with lightweight consensus models, hybrid storage, and energy-efficient integration. Future research avenues include lightweight consensus, edge-based blockchain gateways, dynamic access policies, and standardization.