Cerberum: A Conceptual Herd Immunity Protocol for a Secure and Interoperable IoT Ecosystem

Cerberum is a conceptual framework designed to bring herd immunity principles into the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. Its primary goal is to enable interoperability between devices from different manufacturers while ensuring collective security. Acting as a gatekeeper, Cerberum does not control devices directly but monitors communication flows to detect anomalies. For example, if a smart lamp attempts to access a refrigerator, Cerberum will immediately cut off the connection. This design prevents a single point of failure—if Cerberum is compromised, each device still retains its own security system. By isolating suspicious devices and reinforcing logical communication pathways, Cerberum ensures that IoT infrastructures remain resilient even under attack. The protocol allows buyers to freely combine devices across brands without sacrificing security, while giving manufacturers reputational benefits for building secure products. The full project is available at:https://github.com/rijal028/A-conceptual-herd-immunity-protocol-for-a-secure-and-interoperable-IoT-ecosystem