A Fog-Based Security Framework for Large-Scale Industrial Internet of Things Environments

TL;DR

This paper proposes a fog-based security framework to defend large-scale Industrial Internet of Things environments against DDoS attacks, enhancing security and operational resilience.

Contribution

It introduces a novel fog computing security framework specifically designed to mitigate DDoS threats in IIoT systems, addressing unique challenges of heterogeneity and resource constraints.

Findings

Framework effectively detects and mitigates DDoS attacks

Enhanced security reduces production disruptions

Improves communication stability in IIoT environments

Abstract

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is a developing research area with potential global Internet connectivity, turning everyday objects into intelligent devices with more autonomous activities. IIoT services and applications are not only being used in smart homes and smart cities, but they have also become an essential element of the Industry 4.0 concept. The emergence of the IIoT helps traditional industries simplify production processes, reduce production costs, and improve industrial efficiency. However, the involvement of many heterogeneous devices, the use of third-party software, and the resource-constrained nature of the IoT devices bring new security risks to the production chain and expose vulnerabilities to the systems. The Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks are significant, among others. This article analyzes the threats and attacks in the IIoT and discusses how DDoS attacks impact the production process and communication dysfunctions with IIoT services and applications. This article also proposes a reference security framework that enhances the advantages of fog computing to demonstrate countermeasures against DDoS attacks and possible strategies to mitigate such attacks at scale.