IJACSA Special Issue on Internet of Things Resource Sharing using Blockchain-based Trust Management

Abstract

The implementation of blockchain technology to establish a distributed and decentralized trust system is effective. However, the significant energy consumption associated with the consensus mechanism limits its efficiency within a hybrid cloud-edge service framework. This technology operates through a network of computers, referred to as nodes, which are responsible for verifying and recording transactions into blocks that are interconnected through encryption. Each block contains a hash, or unique identifier, of the preceding block, resulting in a chain of records that is both traceable and immutable. Blockchain-based systems, such as Bitcoin, have emerged as a trustless alternative to traditional financial institutions and governmental bodies.

This groundbreaking technology offers advanced features such as tamper resistance, consistency, and decentralization, which can help address the challenges of trust management (TM) in the Internet of Things (IoT). As a result, there has been extensive research into blockchain-based trust management (BC-TM) in IoT in recent years. Blockchain technology serves as a secure method for data storage, making it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, for unauthorized individuals to hack, alter, or manipulate the system. It functions as a digital ledger of all transactions conducted within the blockchain network across all interconnected systems. Each block in the chain encompasses multiple transactions. While businesses involved in transactions cannot disclose their entire database, each entity within the blockchain network maintains a duplicate ledger, with the technology ensuring automatic consistency between the two. The decentralized and transparent nature of blockchain enhances data privacy by reducing reliance on centralized entities. By employing cryptographic techniques to protect data, it ensures immutability, anonymity, and control over personal information. Unlike traditional database systems that permit data editing and deletion, blockchain allows only for data insertion. Recently, it has proven effective in fostering trust within the Network of Things.

One of the biggest issues facing IoT is trust management. Current trust management solutions are unable to handle the IoT's new needs, which include scalability, mobility, and heterogeneity. In this special issue a blockchain-based trust management protocol that is hierarchical, scalable, and supports mobility in widely dispersed Internet of Things systems. According for the system, trust data about service providers is distributed to the blockchain using mobile smart objects.

The topics of interest include:

A blockchain-based technique for Internet of Things trust management
IoT trust management system built on a decentralized blockchain
An assessment on Internet of Things trust management using blockchain technology
Internet of Things logistics management using a blockchain-based trust model
Automated trust management in the Internet of Things using blockchain technology
Assurance in IoT networks: Conceptual frameworks for blockchain-driven IoT applications
Blockchain-driven trust framework enabling the Industrial Internet of Things with digital twins
Blockchain, variables, and problems in the internet of things' trust management
Application of theoretical games to trust management in the Web of Things
A blockchain-based scalable protocol for managing trust in Internet of Vehicles
Secured data sharing across IoT stakeholders using blockchain technology

Submission Guidelines:

Authors must follow the journal guidelines available at http://thesai.org/Publications/Guidelines.

Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are refereed through a double blind peer-review process.

There is a fixed publication fee of GBP 500 for all accepted manuscripts. Only registered manuscripts will be part of the published special issue.

Authors may submit their manuscripts as per the following schedule:

Submission Deadline: 15 July 2025
Review Notification: 05 September 2025
Registration Deadline: 01 October 2025
Camera Ready Submission: 15 November 2025
Final publication: 30 January 2026

Manuscripts should be submitted via email to Dr. A. S. M. Sanwar Hosen via email to sanwar@wsu.ac.kr. Subject line should be: "Special Issue on Internet of Things Resource Sharing using Blockchain-based Trust Management".

Guest Editors

Dr. A. S. M. Sanwar Hosen is an accomplished academic and researcher currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data at Woosong University, Daejeon, South Korea. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), where he also held postdoctoral positions at Kunsan National University and JBNU. His research interests are broad and include wireless sensor networks, Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity, edge-cloud computing, blockchain technology, and artificial intelligence. Dr. Hosen has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, contributing valuable insights to these fields. He has also been an expert reviewer for high-impact journals such as IEEE Transactions, Elsevier, and MDPI, and has served as a Technical Program Committee Member for several international conferences, including those hosted by IEEE and ACM. His contributions extend beyond research, with a focus on the integration of emerging technologies in practical applications, particularly in the areas of network security and green IT. Through his work, Dr. Hosen continues to make significant strides in advancing AI, blockchain, and IoT, contributing to innovative, real-world solutions.

Dr. Pradip Sharma, SMIEEE, is a highly esteemed academician and researcher known for his expertise in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. Currently serving as an Associate Professor of Cybersecurity & AI at the Department of Computing Science, University of Aberdeen, UK. His academic journey is characterised by a steadfast pursuit of excellence. He holds a PhD in Secure Computing (2019), along with a Master of Technology in Computer Science (2014) and a Bachelor's in Information Technology (2009). Dr. Sharma's professional background encompasses roles such as Research Fellow and Software Engineer, reflecting a blend of academic and industry experience. Throughout his career, he has shown a strong interest in advancing research in areas such as Privacy-aware AI, Blockchain, Edge Computing, IoT Security, and Critical Infrastructure Security, earning recognition through various research projects and grants, including awards from EPSRC and Innovate UK. In addition to his research pursuits, Dr. Sharma actively engages in professional activities within the academic community. He holds editorial roles in esteemed journals and contributes to organizing conferences and workshops on cybersecurity and AI-related topics. Dr. Sharma's impact is also evident in his extensive publication record, featuring research articles in reputable journals and conferences. Dr. Sharma's academic contributions are further highlighted by his inclusion in the world's Top 2% Scientists list by Stanford University and his receipt of accolades such as the IEEE Outstanding Leadership Award and Publons Peer Review Awards. His commitment to education is evident through his teaching experiences, where he has developed and delivered courses on cybersecurity, distributed systems, and digital forensics. Dr. Sharma's dedication extends to mentoring the next generation of researchers, as demonstrated by his supervision of doctoral students and mentorship roles in academic and professional settings.

Dr. Tao Huang (Senior Member, IEEE) received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He is an Electronic Systems and IoT Engineering lecturer at James Cook University, Cairns, Australia. He was an Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellow, a visiting scholar at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, a research associate at the University of New South Wales, and a postdoctoral research fellow at James Cook University. Dr. Huang received the Australian Postgraduate Award and Engineering Research Award at The University of New South Wales. He received the Best Paper Award from the IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference, Cancun, Mexico, in 2011. He received the IEEE Outstanding Leadership Award in 2022. He received the Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning at James Cook University in 2022. Dr. Huang serves as the MTT-S/COM Chapter Chair and Young Professionals Affinity Group Chair for the IEEE Northern Australia Section. Dr. Huang has served in several international conferences as TPC chair, program vice chair, local chair, and TPC member. Dr. Huang is an Associate Editor of the IEEE Open Journal of Communications Society, IEEE Access, and IET Communications. He is also a Topical Advisory Panel Member of MDPI Electronics. His research interests include deep learning, smart sensing, computer vision, pattern recognition, wireless communications, and IoT security.