IOT BASED ECOSYSTEM SECURITY SYSTEM WITH SUPPORTING ARCHITECTURAL FRAMEWORK AND WORKING METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

The present invention discloses an IoT-based ecosystem security system with an integrated architectural framework designed to secure interconnected devices, networks, and data within an IoT environment. The system comprises a security gateway, which includes a hardware security module (HSM) for encryption and authentication; a device authentication module utilizing public key infrastructure (PKI) for verifying device identities; and a centralized security management system (CSMS) equipped with a real-time threat detection engine powered by machine learning to identify and mitigate security threats. Additionally, it includes a data encryption and integrity module for end-to-end data protection, an access control system based on role-based access control (RBAC), and a cloud-based security analytics platform for continuous threat analysis and predictive insights. This comprehensive solution ensures secure communication, prevents unauthorized access, and provides real-time protection against cyber-attacks, ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of data within the IoT ecosystem.

Specification

Description:[015] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit, and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[016] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[017] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[018] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process that is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure. A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its termination can correspond to a return of the function to the calling function or the main function.
[019] The word "exemplary" and/or "demonstrative" is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" and/or "demonstrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes," "has," "contains," and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as an open transition word without precluding any additional or other elements.
[020] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "an instance" or "one instance" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[021] In an embodiment of the invention and referring to Figures 1, the present invention relates to an IoT-based ecosystem security system that integrates an advanced architectural framework and an efficient working method to secure interconnected devices, networks, and data within an IoT ecosystem. The invention provides a comprehensive security solution to address the growing concerns of cybersecurity in IoT ecosystems, ensuring the protection of data, devices, and communications from malicious activities, unauthorized access, and potential threats. The novel system and method are designed to offer scalability, adaptability, and real-time protection against cyber-attacks while maintaining the efficiency and functionality of the IoT ecosystem.
[022] The IoT ecosystem comprises a diverse array of interconnected devices, sensors, and actuators that communicate and exchange data in real-time. These devices can range from simple sensors to complex machinery and may operate on different communication protocols and technologies. As the number of devices and the complexity of IoT systems grow, so do the challenges related to their security. The decentralized and heterogeneous nature of these systems creates significant vulnerabilities, making them prime targets for cyber-attacks. Therefore, an integrated, layered approach to securing the entire ecosystem is crucial to mitigating these security risks.
[023] The architecture of the IoT ecosystem security system is designed to address these challenges by integrating multiple hardware and software components that work together to provide comprehensive protection. At the core of the system lies a security gateway that serves as the entry point for all devices within the IoT ecosystem. This gateway plays a critical role in managing communication between the internal IoT network and the external world. It provides a secure interface for data exchange and ensures that all communication between devices is protected through encryption and authentication mechanisms.
[024] The security gateway includes a hardware security module (HSM) that performs cryptographic operations such as encryption, decryption, and digital signature verification. This ensures that data transmitted across the network is secure and that devices are authenticated before being allowed to communicate. The use of a hardware-based security module adds an extra layer of security by protecting cryptographic keys from being exposed to potential attackers, which significantly enhances the overall security of the IoT ecosystem.
[025] Next in the system is the device authentication module, which works in conjunction with the security gateway to ensure that only authorized devices can access the IoT network. Each device within the ecosystem is assigned a unique digital certificate that serves as its identity. The device authentication module uses public key infrastructure (PKI) to verify the identity of devices attempting to join the network. Once a device is authenticated, it is assigned a security token that grants it access to the resources it is authorized to interact with, ensuring that malicious or unauthorized devices are kept out of the network.
[026] Once devices are authenticated, they communicate with the Centralized Security Management System (CSMS), which is the control center of the security system. The CSMS is responsible for managing security policies, monitoring device behavior, and detecting potential threats in real time. It is equipped with a real-time threat detection engine that continuously analyzes data traffic and device behavior to identify anomalies that could indicate a security breach or a malicious attack. The threat detection engine utilizes machine learning algorithms to improve its detection capabilities over time by learning from historical data and adapting to new attack patterns.
[027] The real-time threat detection engine is crucial in identifying both known and unknown threats. It works by comparing the current behavior of devices and networks with a database of previously observed attacks and suspicious activities. When an anomaly is detected, the engine generates an alert and communicates with the CSMS to take immediate action. The CSMS then initiates an automated response, which could include isolating the affected device, blocking the attacker's IP address, or updating security policies across the network to prevent further threats.
[028] In addition to real-time threat detection, the system includes a data encryption and integrity module, which ensures that all data exchanged between devices is protected from interception or tampering. The module uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) for end-to-end encryption of data packets, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential during transmission. Additionally, the integrity of the data is maintained through the use of cryptographic hash functions, which allow the system to detect any unauthorized modifications to the data.
[029] The access control and policy enforcement module is another key component of the system. It ensures that devices within the IoT ecosystem are only granted access to resources and data that they are authorized to use. The module uses role-based access control (RBAC) to assign different levels of access based on the roles of the devices and users. This prevents unauthorized access to critical systems and data, ensuring that only authenticated and authorized entities can perform specific actions within the ecosystem.
[030] The entire system is continuously monitored by the cloud-based security analytics platform, which collects security-related data from all devices, networks, and security components within the ecosystem. This cloud platform employs advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect emerging threats, identify vulnerabilities, and generate predictive insights into potential security risks. By analyzing large volumes of security data, the cloud platform provides valuable insights that help improve the security posture of the IoT ecosystem over time.
[031] The cloud-based security analytics platform also serves as a central repository for security logs, event data, and other security-related information. This data can be used for forensic analysis in the event of a security incident, helping security teams understand the root cause of an attack and take corrective measures to prevent future occurrences. The platform can also generate reports and dashboards for security administrators, providing them with a real-time view of the security status of the IoT ecosystem.
[032] The interconnection and interaction between these components are seamless and coordinated. Devices authenticate through the security gateway, which passes encrypted data to the CSMS for monitoring. The threat detection engine continuously analyzes traffic from devices, generating alerts when anomalies are detected. Meanwhile, the access control system ensures that only authorized devices and users can interact with the ecosystem. The cloud-based platform analyzes security data from all components to provide predictive insights and continuously improve the system's defenses.
[033] The operation of the IoT ecosystem security system begins when a new device attempts to join the network. The device is first authenticated by the device authentication module, which verifies its identity using PKI-based certificates. Once authenticated, the device communicates with the security gateway, which encrypts the data and forwards it to the CSMS for monitoring.
[034] The CSMS monitors device activity in real time, analyzing network traffic for any suspicious behavior using the threat detection engine. If an anomaly is detected, the CSMS responds by triggering predefined security policies, such as isolating the device, blocking malicious traffic, or alerting administrators. Throughout this process, the data exchanged between devices is encrypted and verified for integrity by the data encryption and integrity module.
[035] Simultaneously, the access control and policy enforcement module ensures that devices can only access resources they are authorized to use, preventing unauthorized access to critical systems. The cloud-based security analytics platform continuously analyzes security data and provides insights that help optimize the security system, ensuring that it remains adaptive to evolving threats.
[036] The invention incorporates several novel hardware and software components that significantly enhance the security of the IoT ecosystem. The use of a hardware security module (HSM) within the security gateway provides a high level of protection for cryptographic keys, preventing exposure to attackers. The real-time threat detection engine, powered by machine learning algorithms, is another novel aspect that enables the system to continuously adapt to new attack patterns and detect emerging threats. The cloud-based security analytics platform, with its use of big data analytics and AI, provides continuous improvement in the system's security posture and enhances the overall efficacy of the solution.
[037] The combined operation of these components results in a highly effective and secure IoT ecosystem. The integration of encryption, authentication, access control, and real-time threat detection ensures that devices and data are protected from various types of attacks. The cloud-based analytics platform adds an additional layer of intelligence by identifying emerging threats and continuously refining security protocols. This interconnected framework provides a robust, scalable, and adaptive solution that addresses the unique security challenges posed by IoT ecosystems.
Table 1: Comparison of Prior Art and Present Invention

[038] The present invention provides a novel and integrated IoT ecosystem security system that overcomes the limitations of existing solutions. By combining hardware and software components such as the security gateway, device authentication module, real-time threat detection engine, and cloud-based analytics platform, the system offers a comprehensive and scalable solution for securing IoT networks. The invention ensures that devices, data, and communications within the IoT ecosystem are protected from emerging threats, making it a valuable contribution to the field of IoT security. , Claims:1. An IoT-based ecosystem security system comprising:
a) a security gateway for managing communication between devices in the IoT ecosystem, the security gateway including a hardware security module (HSM) to perform encryption, decryption, and digital signature verification for secure data exchange;
b) A device authentication module for authenticating devices attempting to access the IoT ecosystem, utilizing public key infrastructure (PKI) and providing a security token for authorized devices;
c) a centralized security management system (CSMS) for monitoring and managing security policies, the CSMS including a real-time threat detection engine using machine learning algorithms to identify anomalies and detect potential security threats;
d) a data encryption and integrity module using AES encryption and cryptographic hash functions for end-to-end data protection;
e) an access control and policy enforcement module using role-based access control (RBAC) to grant authorized devices access to specified resources within the IoT ecosystem;
f) a cloud-based security analytics platform for analyzing security-related data, providing real-time insights, predictive threat analysis, and forensic capabilities.
2. The IoT-based ecosystem security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hardware security module (HSM) within the security gateway is configured to protect cryptographic keys from unauthorized exposure.
3. The IoT-based ecosystem security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device authentication module utilizes a unique digital certificate assigned to each device to verify its identity before granting access to the ecosystem.
4. The IoT-based ecosystem security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the threat detection engine is configured to continuously learn from historical data to improve its detection capabilities and adapt to new attack patterns over time.
5. The IoT-based ecosystem security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data encryption and integrity module ensures that all data exchanged between devices is encrypted and verified for integrity before being transmitted across the network.
6. The IoT-based ecosystem security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cloud-based security analytics platform utilizes big data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to identify emerging security threats and vulnerabilities within the IoT ecosystem.
7. The IoT-based ecosystem security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the centralized security management system (CSMS) triggers predefined automated responses such as isolating affected devices, blocking malicious traffic, or updating security policies upon detecting potential threats.
8. The IoT-based ecosystem security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the role-based access control (RBAC) module ensures that devices and users are granted access to specific resources based on their predefined roles, preventing unauthorized access to critical systems and data.
9. The IoT-based ecosystem security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the security gateway is configured to support multiple communication protocols to accommodate a wide range of IoT devices with varying capabilities and requirements.
10. The IoT-based ecosystem security system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cloud-based security analytics platform serves as a central repository for security logs and event data, enabling forensic analysis and helping security teams respond to incidents.

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