A Lightweight Blockchain-Enabled Authentication Scheme for Securing Internet of Drones Devices

Abstract

This research presents a lightweight authentication scheme designed specifically for Internet of Drone (IoD) devices utilizing blockchain technology. The scheme prioritizes efficiency and security, leveraging elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) for mutual authentication while focusing on minimal resource allocation, reduced computational complexity, and optimal performance. A rigorous security analysis, incorporating both formal evaluations using tools like AVISPA or ProVerif and informal assessments, ensures the protocol’s resilience against active and passive attacks. To enhance security, the protocol implements a ’lock-out’ policy to thwart brute-force attacks and deploys countermeasures to prevent denial-of-service attacks. Moreover, exceeding connection request thresholds triggers blocking suspicious addresses, safeguarding against potential threats. User anonymity is ensured through careful design considerations. The authentication process involves a digital smart card issued by the server, facilitating mutual authentication via a one-time session key. The smart card is stored within the blockchain for heightened tamper resistance. Public parameters essential for authentication are stored locally on the user and server devices, reducing latency and memory overhead in blockchain environments. The versatility of the proposed scheme also extends across various domains, including IoT Device Authentication, Smart Access Control, Healthcare Systems, and Vehicular Networks. In summary, the proposed lightweight authentication scheme effectively addresses critical security requirements, including mutual authentication, anonymity, and access level determination, making it a suitable solution for securing the Internet of Drone devices and beyond.