MODEL FOR ENSURING INFORMATION INTEGRITY IN IOT SYSTEMS BASED ON BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY USING A DISTRIBUTED REGISTRY TO REDUCE THE RISKS OF UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS

Abstract

The paper addresses the problem of ensuring data integrity in Internet of Things (IoT) systems operating in distributed environments with constrained computational and energy resources. The rapid growth of IoT infrastructures leads to increased complexity of data exchange processes and raises significant challenges related to unauthorized data modification and integrity violations. Existing approaches based on centralized control and traditional cryptographic mechanisms are analyzed, revealing their limitations in terms of scalability, resilience to attacks, and suitability for resource-constrained devices.

The study substantiates the feasibility of applying blockchain technology as a decentralized mechanism for ensuring data immutability, transparency, and verifiability without relying on a trusted central authority. A novel model for data integrity assurance in IoT systems is proposed, combining lightweight cryptographic operations at the sensor level with distributed validation and storage processes implemented at the edge layer using a blockchain-based distributed ledger. The model introduces a hierarchical distribution of computational tasks among system nodes, minimizing the load on low-power devices while maintaining robust integrity control.

The proposed approach includes a mathematical representation of data generation, hashing, transmission, validation, and recording processes, as well as a mechanism for adaptive allocation of cryptographic operations depending on node capabilities. Analytical evaluation of the model is conducted with respect to key performance indicators, including energy consumption, processing delay, and resistance to unauthorized data modification.

The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed model reduces energy consumption at the sensor level, improves detection of data tampering through multi-stage validation, and enhances overall system scalability. In comparison with centralized and conventional blockchain-based approaches, the model achieves a balanced trade-off between security, performance, and resource efficiency. The practical significance of the research lies in its applicability to cyber-physical systems where data integrity is critical, such as healthcare, industrial automation, and smart energy systems.