A Systematic Blockchain‐Based Proficient, Secure, and Energetic Privacy‐Preserving Protocol for Effective Authentication in Internet of Vehicles Networks Using the El‐Gamal Encryption With Optimal Key Selection

ABSTRACT Internet of Vehicles (IoV) networks face significant security and privacy challenges due to dynamic topologies and high mobility, exposing them to threats like unauthorized tracking and data tampering. This study aims to develop a robust, privacy‐preserving authentication protocol for IoV using blockchain technology. We propose a novel approach integrating a Cascaded and Dilated Residual Recurrent Neural Network (CD‐RRNN) for malicious attack detection, blockchain for secure data storage, and an Optimized Key in El‐Gamal Encryption (OKEE) with keys selected via Modified Manta‐Ray Foraging Optimization (MMRFO). Results demonstrate a 94.34% accuracy in attack detection and a 28.57% reduction in decryption time compared with baselines, validated against state‐of‐the‐art methods. This protocol enhances IoV security, privacy, and scalability, offering a practical solution for smart transportation systems. The rapid expansion of the IoV has introduced significant challenges related to security, privacy, and efficient data management. Traditional centralized architectures struggle with scalability and vulnerability to cyber threats. This article proposes a blockchain‐based security framework to enhance trust, authentication, and data integrity in IoV networks. The proposed model leverages Cascaded and Dilated Residual Recurrent Neural Network (CD‐RRNN) for detecting malicious activities, coupled with El‐Gamal encryption optimized using the Modified Manta‐Ray Foraging Optimization (MMRFO) algorithm for secure communication. The system effectively balances privacy and traceability in vehicular networks. Performance evaluations demonstrate improved attack detection accuracy, reduced computational overhead, and higher efficiency compared with existing methods. The proposed solution ensures a decentralized, scalable, and robust security model, making it a viable framework for next‐generation IoV ecosystems.