The rapid proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) has introduced transformative capabilities across diverse sectors but has also exposed critical security vulnerabilities due to the interconnected and often resource-constrained nature of IoT devices. This systematic literature review examines the prevailing security challenges within IoT environments, focusing on threat vectors, attack surfaces, and mitigation strategies. Drawing from a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed publications, the paper categorizes key challenges such as authentication weaknesses, data integrity threats, device heterogeneity, and privacy concerns. The review also explores the role of emerging security frameworks and technologies—including lightweight encryption, blockchain integration, and edge computing—in enhancing IoT resilience. Particular attention is paid to the evolving attack landscape, highlighting the increasing sophistication of threats like botnets, side-channel attacks, and firmware exploitation. The findings underscore the importance of adopting a holistic and layered security approach that encompasses hardware, software, and network-level protections. Furthermore, the paper identifies gaps in current research, especially around standardization, real-time anomaly detection, and scalable security architectures. The review concludes by recommending strategic directions for future work, including cross-domain policy enforcement and AI-driven security automation. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of IoT security, offering critical insights for researchers, developers, and enterprise stakeholders seeking to fortify IoT deployments against escalating cyber threats.
Victor Kelechukwu Madu (2025) studied this question.