An Architecture for Enabling Collective Intelligence in IoT Networks

Abstract

Proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) has fundamentally changed how different application environments are being used. IoT networks are prone to malicious attacks similar to other networks. Additionally, physical tampering, injection and capturing of the nodes are more probable in IoT networks. Therefore, conventional security practices require substantial re-engineering for IoT networks. Here we present an architecture that enables collective intelligence for IoT networks via smart network nodes and blockchain technology. In this architecture, various security related functionalities are distributed to network nodes to detect tampered, captured and injected devices, recognize their movements and prevent networks’ use as an attack surface. Nodes interact with signaling, security information and data traffic. Security information aids to distribute cyber-security functionalities across the IoT network based on the device and/or application type. Every node in the proposed IoT network does not need to have all the cyber-security functionalities, but the network as a whole needs these functionalities.