Security and Privacy for Low Power IoT Devices on 5G and Beyond Networks: Challenges and Future Directions

The growth in the use of small sensor devices, commonly known as the Internet of Things (IoT), has resulted in unprecedented amounts of data being generated and captured. With the rapidly growing popularity of personal IoT devices, the collection of personal data through such devices has also increased exponentially. To accommodate the anticipated growth in connected devices, researchers are now investigating futuristic network technologies that are capable of processing large volumes of information at much faster speeds. However, the introduction of innovative network technologies coupled with existing vulnerabilities of personal IoT devices and insufficient device security standards is resulting in new challenges for the security of data collected on these devices. While existing research has focused on the technical aspects of security vulnerabilities and solutions in either network or IoT technologies separately, this paper thoroughly investigates common aspects impacting IoT security on existing and futuristic networks, including human-centric issues and the mechanisms that can lead to loss of confidentiality. By undertaking a comprehensive literature review of existing research, this article has identified five key areas that impact IoT security for futuristic next generation networks. Furthermore, by extensively analysing each area, the article reports on conclusive findings and future research opportunities for IoT privacy and security for the next generation of network technologies.