Optimized Block Chain-Enabled Security Mechanism for IoT Using Ant Colony Optimization

Abstract

Ensuring secure and efficient communication in Internet of Things (IoT) networks remains a major challenge due to their decentralized structure, limited computational resources, and exposure to a wide range of cyber threats. This study introduces a novel blockchain-enabled security framework for IoT systems, optimized using Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) to enhance performance and scalability. Blockchain provides a distributed, tamper-proof ledger for securing data exchanges and device authentication, while ACO dynamically identifies optimal routing paths and consensus configurations by mimicking the behavior of intelligent ant colonies. The integration of these technologies allows the system to minimize communication overhead, balance energy consumption across nodes, and prevent common attacks such as data tampering, Sybil attacks, and replay attacks. Experimental validation in simulated smart city and industrial IoT environments shows significant improvements in throughput, latency, and energy efficiency when compared to traditional blockchain-based security models. This research presents a flexible and adaptive solution for building trustworthy and resource-aware IoT infrastructures.