Machine learning for network security in IoT: Enabled smart systems

The Internet of Things (IoT) has transformed various sectors by enabling connectivity and automation through smart devices. However, the expansion of IoT networks has introduced new security challenges, particularly concerning the detection and prevention of cyber threats. This study explores the application of machine learning (ML) models for enhancing network security in IoT-enabled smart systems. The primary objective was to evaluate the performance of different ML algorithms, including Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), K-Means, and Autoencoder, in detecting and mitigating security threats in IoT environments. The study also aimed to identify the most effective model in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The research methodology involved training and testing these models on publicly available IoT security datasets, followed by performance evaluation based on the key metrics. Statistical analysis, including One-Way ANOVA and post-hoc testing, was used to assess the significance of the performance differences across the models. The results revealed that CNN outperformed all other models, achieving the highest accuracy (96.7%), precision (95.8%), recall (97.2%), and F1-score (96.5%). Random Forest also demonstrated strong performance with an accuracy of 95.6% and a balanced evaluation across all metrics. In contrast, traditional models like SVM and DT showed comparatively lower performance, while Autoencoder struggled with classification tasks, particularly in real-time threat detection. Statistical analysis confirmed the significant differences in model performance. In conclusion, the study demonstrates the effectiveness of deep learning and ensemble models, particularly CNN and Random Forest, in enhancing IoT network security. The research highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate ML model based on the specific requirements of the IoT environment and computational constraints, and suggests that hybrid models and model optimization strategies may offer promising solutions for resource-constrained IoT systems.