Blockchain-Enabled Intrusion Detection in 5G-Driven IoT Networks: A Decentralized Approach to Threat Mitigation

Abstract

The rapid evolution of 5G technology, coupled with the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, has transformed global digital infrastructure, enabling low-latency, high-throughput communication across diverse domains. However, this expanded attack surface introduces significant cybersecurity risks, making conventional centralized Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) inadequate in addressing threats such as spoofing, data manipulation, and distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. This paper explores the integration of blockchain technology with IDS to develop a decentralized, tamper-proof framework for intrusion detection in 5G-enabled IoT networks. Leveraging blockchain’s characteristics—immutability, transparency, and distributed consensus—we examine how threat data can be securely shared across nodes, ensuring faster detection, resilience, and trust among devices. The study surveys existing models, identifies challenges such as resource overhead and scalability, and proposes an optimized architecture that balances detection accuracy with operational efficiency. Results demonstrate that blockchain-enabled IDS can significantly enhance network integrity and response agility, offering a promising direction for next-generation IoT cybersecurity systems.