Blockchain-Based Device Identity Management and Authentication in Cyber-Physical Systems

Abstract

The proliferation of interconnected devices in the era of the Internet of Things (IoT) has given rise to the need for robust device identity management and authentication mechanisms in cyber-physical systems (CPSs). Traditional centralized approaches to identity management face challenges of security, scalability, and privacy. Therefore, the paper provides an innovative approach by fusing Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) with blockchain technology to revolutionize device identity management within CPS environments. In this paper, devices autonomously initiate their identity-creation processes. Each device generates a cryptographic key pair comprising a public key for openly identifying the device and a closely guarded private key used for authentication and decryption purposes. The research also introduces an innovative authentication algorithm within CPS environments that employs secure tokens to validate the authenticity of devices. The proposed framework reduces the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches while empowering devices with control over their identities. Overall, the proposed approach not only enhances security, privacy, and resilience within CPSs but also provides a transformative solution for identity management in dynamic and autonomous device environments.