A security mechanism for routing protocol of low-power and lossy networks against rank in IOT environment

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of interconnected smart devices that facilitate real-time communication. These devices, including sensors and smart systems, rely on Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), which are inherently constrained in resources, posing significant security challenges. The Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy Networks (RPL) is the primary routing protocol in such networks; however, its structural characteristics make it susceptible to security threats, necessitating robust protection measures. RPLs core operations are governed by the objective function (OF), which influences routing decisions. Conventional OFs, rely on single-metric evaluation, fixed rank computation, and lack security provisions. These limitations degrade network performance and resilience against adversarial threats. This research addresses the security vulnerabilities inherent in RPL due to the deficiencies of conventional OF. This research proposes a security-enhanced mechanism, integrating mitigation and detection schemes, to counteract Rank Attacks (RA) in smart environments. Thus, enhance network integrity, ensuring reliable and secure data transmission in IoT networks. The proposed security mechanism uses a multi-metric OF to enhance rank integrity and detect malicious activities. Implemented in the Cooja simulator, it undergoes extensive evaluation. A comparative analysis with conventional OF, including OF0 and MRHOF, as well as existing scheme, highlights its effectiveness in improving network security. Experimental evaluations demonstrate significant improvements in network performance. Results indicate a 62% enhancement in packet delivery ratio, a 91% increase in throughput, a 77% reduction in hop count, and a 92% decrease in latency. This confirms the efficacy of the proposed approach in strengthening RPL security and optimizing IoT communication networks. The study contributes to IoT security by introducing a more resilient RPL mechanism capable of mitigating RA. By improving power efficiency, reducing security vulnerabilities, and enhancing key network performance indicators, this research ensures a more robust and scalable IoT performance, supporting widespread deployment in smart applications