A Comprehensive Survey of Security Challenges and Modern Solutions in Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks

This survey highlights the critical importance of security in Underwater Wireless Sensor Networks (UWSNs), which are being increasingly deployed in sensitive marine applications, such as environmental monitoring and resource exploration.This paper systematically reviews the unique security challenges faced by these networks, including cyberattacks, data breaches, and communication interception.It analyzes fundamental security requirements such as confidentiality, authentication, integrity, and availability, and evaluates key security solutions, including encryption algorithms, secure routing protocols, and intrusion detection systems.By examining recent research (2020)(2021)(2022)(2023)(2024)(2025), this survey highlights innovative approaches such as machine learning-based security models, lightweight encryption, and dynamic trust management.The findings suggest that integrating advanced technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence and adaptive algorithms) is essential to counter evolving threats in underwater environments.Lastly, the study identifies research gaps and future directions to guide further developments in UWSN security.