Let say a parking area is based on blockchain and X and Y are two entities in that blockchain. Y is parking authority and X is paying a parking fee to Y. This transaction can be represented online in form of a block, showing different types of information like block number, previous block, transaction record etc. Moreover, this information will be visible to every entity in the network. If more than 50% of the entities verify the blocks, only then the transaction can be confirmed and added to the chain. After all this process, the fee that is paid by X will be transferred to the entity B’s account. So to exceed the hashing power of a target network, an attacker has to compromise 51% of the systems. It reduces significantly the rate of hackers attacks the blockchain.

Securing smart cities using blockchain technology

As smart cities have sensors and actuators (light, pressure, motion, temperature, humidity etc) which collect and further forward the data. Some of these devices like Nest Thermostat may get security attack. Moreover, there is no standard for these smart devices. So there should be some agreed upon standards. For this purpose, blockchain technology is the best option.

Different communication mechanisms are used by smart cities like Bluetooth, WiFi, 3G, 4G or Ethernet. These mechanisms are used to share information through many systems. With the help of blockchain technology, security and privacy of transferred data are ensured. It can be clear by the following example; using telehash, transacted records can be converted into blocks which are then broadcast.

In blockchain there is electronic ledger that is decentralized and distributed ledger, the ledger has many records. Each record has a different cryptographic signature and different /unique time stamp. The history of a complete transaction is verified by the legitimate user. This ledger of the blockchain ensures scalability, performance, and security of many real-time application (e.g. traffic system) in smart cities.

In smart cities, many real-time applications (smart energy, smart home, smart traffic, smart health & smart parking) are collaborating with each other to make efficient and effective decisions for example information of location can be provided to smart home system by a smart cell phone to turn on the lights ten minutes prior to reach at night. Thus it is utmost important that these applications should be integrated properly and this can successfully be done with the help of blockchain technology.

Blockchain-based security framework is necessary to carry out secure communication and applications in smart cities. Moreover, if we integrate blockchain technology with different devices in smart cities, a common platform will be created for all the devices where they can communicate securely in a common environment.

Ibrahim Azrak is a CTO/OM at Compuville Systems Technology Provider and Founder/CEO of Levant Group Futuristic Innovative