An Efficient Approach for Tampering Attack Detection in WSN Using Blockchain

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are vulnerable to a diverse selection of cyberattacks. A cybercriminal may infiltrate some of the sensor nodes that make up a WSN and then tamper with the readings to disrupt the typical functioning of the network. The manipulation of data may be caused by a wide variety of factors. On the one hand, since WSNs are often deployed in abandoned regions it is easy for adversaries to gain control of them by direct physical access. This makes it one of the most vulnerable types of networks. On the other hand, most applications of WSNs such as, military security monitoring, capture sensitive data of targets; as a consequence, the data is interesting to the opponents of these applications since it provides an opportunity for them to conduct attacks. This study concentrates on the detection of tampering attacks in WSNs while maintaining low communication costs and low complexity. A Blockchain ledger is integrated in the WSN to record data into blocks and cryptographic hashes where data tampering is evident from mismatch of hash values. The objective of the research is to improve WSN overall security level.