Blockchain-Enhanced Zero-Trust Architecture for Secure Key Management in Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) require secure key management to prevent unauthorized access. Traditional methods rely on centralized authentication, which increases key compromise risks. These methods also fail to provide continuous verification and adaptive trust evaluation. A secure and scalable approach is needed to protect cryptographic keys and improve authentication. This research proposes a Blockchain-Enhanced Zero-Trust Architecture (BE-ZTA) for secure key management in WSNs. The zero-trust model enforces strict authentication and continuous monitoring of all network nodes. The blockchain ledger stores cryptographic keys securely, preventing tampering and unauthorized modifications. Smart contracts automate key updates and revocation, ensuring that compromised keys are immediately replaced. The proposed method solves key security problems by eliminating central points of failure and preventing unauthorized access. The zero-trust model continuously evaluates node behavior and assigns dynamic trust scores. The blockchain ledger ensures tamper-proof key storage and real-time verification. Smart contracts provide automated and decentralized key management, reducing security risks. Experimental results confirm that the proposed method improves authentication accuracy to 97.2%. The key compromise rate is reduced by 45%, ensuring better security. The model reduces network latency to 2.1 milliseconds, improving efficiency. Attack detection efficiency exceeds 95%, preventing key compromise, MITM, and Sybil attacks.