A Conceptual Blockchain-Based Framework for Secure Industrial IoT Remote Monitoring: Proof of Concept

Abstract

There is currently a lot of research going on using blockchain in Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) applications. Secure real-time data monitoring is one of the requirements of IIoT. Although blockchain is a suitable platform for secure remote monitoring in IIoT due to its features, however, if the goal is real time monitoring, then the issue of data packet loss can be raised as a challenge. In this study, we present a conceptual platform based on Hyperledger Fabric blockchain (HFB) for secure real time remote monitoring in IIoT. To prove this concept, we implemented an HFB network consisting of a number of machines and monitored simulated data packets. By conducting various experiments, we evaluated the performance of the HFB network for secure real time data monitoring in terms of data packet loss. The results of the experiments show that in blockchain-based real-time monitoring, the generation period of transactions should be greater than or equal to the block generation time to avoid the packet loss in the network. The results of the research can be used in the practical implementation of blockchain-based real-time industrial data monitoring in IIoT systems.