Zero Trust Strategies for Cyber-Physical Systems in 6G Networks

Abdulrahman K. Alnaim () and Ahmed M. Alwakeel
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Abdulrahman K. Alnaim: Department of Management Information Systems, School of Business, King Faisal University, Hofuf 31982, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed M. Alwakeel: Faculty of Computers & Information Technology, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia

Mathematics, 2025, vol. 13, issue 7, 1-29

Abstract: This study proposes a Zero Trust security framework for 6G-enabled Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS), integrating Adaptive Access Control (AAC), end-to-end encryption, and blockchain to enhance security, scalability, and real-time threat detection. As 6G networks facilitate massive device connectivity and low-latency communication, traditional perimeter-based security models are inadequate against evolving cyber threats such as Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS), and data breaches. Zero Trust security eliminates implicit trust by enforcing continuous authentication, strict access control, and real-time anomaly detection to mitigate potential threats dynamically. The proposed framework leverages blockchain technology to ensure tamper-proof data integrity and decentralized authentication, preventing unauthorized modifications to CPS data. Additionally, AI-driven anomaly detection identifies suspicious behavior in real time, optimizing security response mechanisms and reducing false positives. Experimental evaluations demonstrate a 40% reduction in MITM attack success rates, 5.8% improvement in authentication efficiency, and 63.5% lower latency compared to traditional security methods. The framework also achieves high scalability and energy efficiency, maintaining consistent throughput and response times across large-scale CPS deployments. These findings underscore the transformative potential of Zero Trust security in 6G-enabled CPS, particularly in mission-critical applications such as healthcare, smart infrastructure, and industrial automation. By integrating blockchain-based authentication, AI-powered threat detection, and adaptive access control, this research presents a scalable and resource-efficient solution for securing next-generation CPS architectures. Future work will explore quantum-safe cryptography and federated learning to further enhance security, ensuring long-term resilience in highly dynamic network environments.

Keywords: Zero Trust; Cyber-Physical System; 6G networks; cloud computing; edge computing; blockchain (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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