Cybersecurity and Cyber Forensics for Smart Cities: A Comprehensive Literature Review and Survey

Abstract

Smart technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI), are being adopted in cities and transforming them into smart cities. In smart cities, various network technologies, such as the Internet and IoT, are combined to exchange real-time information, making the everyday lives of their residents more convenient. However, there is a lack of systematic research on cybersecurity and cyber forensics in smart cities. This paper presents a comprehensive review and survey of cybersecurity and cyber forensics for smart cities. We analysed 154 papers that were published from 2015 to 2022 and proposed a new framework based on a decade of related research papers. We identified four major areas and eleven sub-areas for smart cities. We found that smart homes and the IoT were the most active research areas within the cybersecurity field. Additionally, we found that research on cyber forensics for smart cities was relatively limited compared to that on cybersecurity. Since 2020, there have been many studies on the IoT (which is a technological component of smart cities) that have utilized machine learning and deep learning. Due to the transmission of large-scale data through IoT devices in smart cities, ML and DL are expected to continue playing critical roles in smart city research.

Securing the Smart City: A Review of Cybersecurity Challenges and Strategies

“…Challenges of smart city technologies include the complexity of integrating diverse systems and technologies, ensuring interoperability and scalability, addressing privacy concerns related to data collection and usage, and managing cybersecurity risks (Clim et al, 2022). As smart cities become increasingly reliant on digital infrastructure and interconnected systems, cybersecurity emerges as a critical consideration in their development and operation (Kim et al, 2023). The integration of IoT devices, sensors, and networks in smart cities creates a vast attack surface that is susceptible to cyber threats (Raimundo & Rosário, 2022).…”

“…The integration of IoT devices, sensors, and networks in smart cities creates a vast attack surface that is susceptible to cyber threats (Raimundo & Rosário, 2022). Cyberattacks targeting smart city infrastructures can have severe consequences, including disruption of essential services, compromise of sensitive data, and threats to public safety (Kim et al, 2023). Therefore, ensuring the cybersecurity of smart city systems is paramount to safeguarding the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of critical infrastructure and citizen information (Ahmadi-Assalemi et al, 2020).…”

Information Security Applications in Smart Cities: A Bibliometric Analysis of Emerging Research

“…These continuous interactions with internet-focused solutions (Internet of Things-IoT) must be conducted in compliance with regulations [8][9][10]. However, they concurrently introduce profound challenges, especially in terms of data governance, and there is a growing emphasis on safeguarding the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of data as it is generated, processed, and exchanged across diverse entities, spanning from private organizations to public sectors and the general populace [11][12][13][14].…”

“…As public services gravitate towards interconnected digital ecosystems, we can identify significant potential benefits, such as streamlined operations and bolstered resilience in critical infrastructures. Nonetheless, for metropolises and regions striving to transition into the smart city paradigm, it is imperative to not only meticulously assess but also proactively mitigate the inherent cybersecurity risks stemming from such integration [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. While no technology solution can guarantee complete security, communities need to implement smart city technologies while considering the need to balance efficiency, innovation, and cybersecurity [20,[22][23][24][25].…”

A Review on Mitigating Privacy Risks in IoT-Enabled Smart Homes

“…Silhouette Score: Quantifies the compactness and separation between clusters.  Davies-Bouldin Index: Evaluates cluster separation and cohesion [53].…”