Empirical Evaluation of a Layered Edge–Cloud IoT Security Architecture for Resilient Residential Access Control.

<ns5:p>Background Traditional smart lock systems frequently experience slowness and susceptibility to vulnerabilities during network interruptions due to their dependence on centralized cloud computing. This study assesses a stratified edge–cloud IoT security framework intended for robust home access control. Methods An ESP32-based edge controller was integrated with RFID and biometric sensors via MQTT protocols. Experimental validation was performed during a 14-day longitudinal study comprising 50 authentication cycles to assess accuracy, latency, and edge autonomy. Results The system attained an overall authentication accuracy of 98.0% ( n = 50 ) . Security integrity was maintained with a False Acceptance Rate (FAR) of 0.00% and a stable False Rejection Rate (FRR) of 2.86%. The average local processing response latency was optimized at 1,161.60 ms, maintaining an efficient local access control operational loop during simulated network disruptions via standalone edge-first failover logic. Conclusion The empirical findings show that a stratified edge-cloud system may successfully balance real-time local responsiveness and strong cryptographic security integrity. This dual-layer structure offers a long-lasting, cost-effective alternative for installing resilient IoT-based access control systems in volatile infrastructure situations.</ns5:p>