As the digital landscape continues to embrace IoT technologies for their transformative potential, the security and privacy of these networks become paramount. This chapter delves into the critical realm of securing long-range-wide-area-network (LoRaWAN) within the context of IoT applications. Focusing on LoRaWAN, this chapter comprehensively examines the challenges that arise in safeguarding sensitive data. A thorough analysis of the diverse range of devices within these networks and potential vulnerabilities is shown. It also sheds light on the nuanced cybersecurity considerations stemming from LoRaWAN's unique characteristics, such as long-range communication and low-power requirements. By surveying existing research and frameworks, the chapter offers valuable insights into mitigation strategies and best practices. With the overarching goal of enhancing industrial cybersecurity and promoting responsible IoT deployment, this chapter serves as a guide for stakeholders, industry professionals, and policymakers alike.
Top1. Introduction
In the era of the world’s digitization, IoT and its applications are used widely as they provide automation and Optimization, enhance user satisfaction, cost saving and return on investment, scalability, and technological advancement. For their connectivity, different network services are\were being used. Most emerged among them are Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) as described by (Iqbal, Abdullah, & Shabnam, 2020). Previously used techniques i.e., Cellular Networks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, etc. are becoming obsolete to be used in IoT applications for connectivity. The adoption of LPWAN technologies in IoT applications has increased due to several key factors including cost-effective connectivity, optimal power consumption, long-range coverage, and higher scalability. LoRaWAN has emerged as of prime importance from both industry and academic points of view over some time as a prominent solution. Hence a brief comparison of LPWANs including Sigfox, NB-IoT, Telensa, etc is provided in the chapter.
Smart cities, healthcare systems, and autonomous vehicles rely on IoT to enhance efficiency and connectivity, so understanding and addressing the prevalent cybersecurity concerns becomes paramount in terms of connectivity network, considering LoRaWAN in particular. Recent research underscores the severity of these risks, revealing that specific groups of IoT devices pose significant threats. Notably, medical devices, VoIP phones, networking equipment, and smart buildings emerge as some of the most vulnerable categories, with six out of the top ten riskiest IoT device types belonging to networking equipment and medical devices. Additionally, the cybersecurity landscape is further complicated by the widespread use of unsupported Windows versions on workstations, with figures as high as 30% in manufacturing and approximately 35% in healthcare (Farmanullah Jan, 2022). These facts and findings underscore the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures in the IoT ecosystem, particularly within LoRaWAN networks, as they underpin the functioning of vital sectors and services. Analysis and insight of different security models in LoRaWAN and their performance matrices shedding light on the significance of key management and encryption techniques is provided by authors (Koketso Ntshabele, 2022) without mentioning solutions. An analysis of LoRaWAN technology in the context of smart city solutions is presented by (Döníz Borsos, 2022), various aspects related to LoRaWAN deployment are examined, including the specifications, device categorization, challenges, and application nature aspects but lacks any focus on information security aspects.
The chapter aims to comprehensively analyze the security and privacy challenges associated with LoRaWAN networks, focusing on their implications for industrial cybersecurity and protection. The chapter will examine existing research, frameworks, and provide unique insights into the complexities and considerations involved in securing LoRaWAN networks. In this chapter, we shall cover the following:
- •
Collect the most up-to-date developments and advancements in LoRaWAN infrastructure and present them in a clear and easy-to-understand way.
- •
Enlist and compile comprehensive security issues related to LoRaWAN, offering organizations assistance in assessing the potential threat, and mitigations to improve their cybersecurity posture.
- •
Determine challenges stemming from unique LoRaWAN characteristics such as long-range communication, low-power requirements, and scalability
Our proposed approach will help in the following manner:
- •
Guide stakeholders to have a holistic approach while deploying IoT applications based on LoRaWAN for communication or data transfer.
- •
Help industry professionals, researchers, and policymakers strengthen LoRaWAN security.
- •
Contribute to understanding best practices, emerging threats, and mitigation strategies.
The overall organization of the chapter is illustrated in Figure 1.