BS-SCRM: a novel approach to secure wireless sensor networks via blockchain and swarm intelligence techniques

Abstract In this paper, we present a novel Secure Clustering Routing Method based on Blockchain and Swarm Intelligence (BS-SCRM) for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), which serves as a cornerstone in the Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure. Recognizing the limitations of existing clustering routi...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jing Xiao, Chaoqun Li, Zhigang Li, Jie Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60338-6
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850216283079966720
author Jing Xiao
Chaoqun Li
Zhigang Li
Jie Zhou
author_facet Jing Xiao
Chaoqun Li
Zhigang Li
Jie Zhou
author_sort Jing Xiao
collection DOAJ
description Abstract In this paper, we present a novel Secure Clustering Routing Method based on Blockchain and Swarm Intelligence (BS-SCRM) for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), which serves as a cornerstone in the Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure. Recognizing the limitations of existing clustering routing methods in addressing security threats, our approach integrates blockchain technology to fortify WSNs against vulnerabilities such as man-in-the-middle attacks. The proposed BS-SCRM method is structured in two phases: (1) an enhanced cluster head (CH) election utilizing an elite strategy-enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) that considers node energy and proximity to the base station, and (2) a secure data on-chain phase where blockchain comes into play, encrypting and validating cluster data to safeguard integrity and prevent tampering. We further tackle the challenge of implementing blockchain in resource-constrained WSNs by assigning distinct roles to devices, i.e., ordinary nodes with data viewing permissions and accounting nodes entrusted with both data viewing and consensus algorithm execution. Extensive simulations confirm that BS-SCRM not only improves clustering quality but also provides a more secure and energy-efficient routing solution compared to contemporary methods. More specifically, simulation results in different scenarios demonstrate that BS-SCRM enhances network lifetime by 24–73% compared to other clustering methods when facing attacks.
format Article
id doaj-art-8ba579d8def14659a5ba288d1a5fe4f0
institution OA Journals
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2024-04-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-8ba579d8def14659a5ba288d1a5fe4f02025-08-20T02:08:20ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-04-0114111410.1038/s41598-024-60338-6BS-SCRM: a novel approach to secure wireless sensor networks via blockchain and swarm intelligence techniquesJing Xiao0Chaoqun Li1Zhigang Li2Jie Zhou3College of Information Science and Technology, Shihezi UniversityCollege of Information Science and Technology, Shihezi UniversityCollege of Information Science and Technology, Shihezi UniversityCollege of Information Science and Technology, Shihezi UniversityAbstract In this paper, we present a novel Secure Clustering Routing Method based on Blockchain and Swarm Intelligence (BS-SCRM) for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), which serves as a cornerstone in the Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure. Recognizing the limitations of existing clustering routing methods in addressing security threats, our approach integrates blockchain technology to fortify WSNs against vulnerabilities such as man-in-the-middle attacks. The proposed BS-SCRM method is structured in two phases: (1) an enhanced cluster head (CH) election utilizing an elite strategy-enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm (WOA) that considers node energy and proximity to the base station, and (2) a secure data on-chain phase where blockchain comes into play, encrypting and validating cluster data to safeguard integrity and prevent tampering. We further tackle the challenge of implementing blockchain in resource-constrained WSNs by assigning distinct roles to devices, i.e., ordinary nodes with data viewing permissions and accounting nodes entrusted with both data viewing and consensus algorithm execution. Extensive simulations confirm that BS-SCRM not only improves clustering quality but also provides a more secure and energy-efficient routing solution compared to contemporary methods. More specifically, simulation results in different scenarios demonstrate that BS-SCRM enhances network lifetime by 24–73% compared to other clustering methods when facing attacks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60338-6
spellingShingle Jing Xiao
Chaoqun Li
Zhigang Li
Jie Zhou
BS-SCRM: a novel approach to secure wireless sensor networks via blockchain and swarm intelligence techniques
Scientific Reports
title BS-SCRM: a novel approach to secure wireless sensor networks via blockchain and swarm intelligence techniques
title_full BS-SCRM: a novel approach to secure wireless sensor networks via blockchain and swarm intelligence techniques
title_fullStr BS-SCRM: a novel approach to secure wireless sensor networks via blockchain and swarm intelligence techniques
title_full_unstemmed BS-SCRM: a novel approach to secure wireless sensor networks via blockchain and swarm intelligence techniques
title_short BS-SCRM: a novel approach to secure wireless sensor networks via blockchain and swarm intelligence techniques
title_sort bs scrm a novel approach to secure wireless sensor networks via blockchain and swarm intelligence techniques
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-60338-6
work_keys_str_mv AT jingxiao bsscrmanovelapproachtosecurewirelesssensornetworksviablockchainandswarmintelligencetechniques
AT chaoqunli bsscrmanovelapproachtosecurewirelesssensornetworksviablockchainandswarmintelligencetechniques
AT zhigangli bsscrmanovelapproachtosecurewirelesssensornetworksviablockchainandswarmintelligencetechniques
AT jiezhou bsscrmanovelapproachtosecurewirelesssensornetworksviablockchainandswarmintelligencetechniques