BSA-WSNs: A Blockchain-Based Strategy for Device Authentication in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) play a critical role in the Internet of Things (IoT), but their distributed and resource-constrained nature presents significant security challenges. Device authentication is an important measure to ensure security. Traditional authentication often faces issues such as single points of failure and high communication overhead. Blockchain technology, with its decentralized nature, provides a new solution for distributed systems. Based on this, this paper proposes a Blockchain-based Strategy for Device Authentication in WSNs (BSA-WSNs). A lightweight blockchain architecture suitable for WSNs is designed, employing the Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus mechanism, and enhancing node authentication security using the SHA-256 algorithm and Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), while optimizing storage and computational overhead. Smart contracts are used to automate node management, providing an efficient node registration and authentication process. A hierarchical authentication structure is designed to reduce the burden on ordinary nodes and ensures timely deregistration in the event of node failures or attacks, improving network security. The results show that BSA-WSNs effectively prevent malicious attacks such as node spoofing, replay, denial of service, and data tampering, demonstrating significant advantages over traditional methods.