Cybersecurity risk assessment of smart home IoT ecosystems in the MENA region

Abstract The Internet of Things (IoT) is increasingly embedded in smart homes, industrial systems and healthcare environments, creating new requirements for low latency, bandwidth efficiency and robust security. However, many IoT devices remain difficult to secure because of limited processing capability, storage capacity, energy resources and fragmented communication protocols. This study investigates security and privacy concerns associated with IoT adoption in smart-home and related environments, with a particular focus on users in the MENA region. An online questionnaire was distributed to Arabic-speaking participants, resulting in 164 valid responses from 12 countries. The results show that users are highly concerned about privacy invasion, data theft, device hacking and unauthorized access, while their protection practices remain inconsistent. More than half of the respondents reported a need for additional support to secure existing IoT devices rather than replacing them. The findings also show that commonly used protection mechanisms include strong passwords, two-factor authentication, firmware updates, antivirus software, firewalls and VPNs, although users still require clearer guidance, checklists and professional support. Based on the survey results and related literature, the paper discusses practical recommendations for strengthening IoT security through user awareness, network protection, device-level controls, edge computing and blockchain-enabled approaches.