Blockchain in Networking: Security, Scalability, and Smart Connectivity

The rapid evolution of digital networks, IoT, 5G, and edge computing has raised critical concerns around security, scalability, and trust. Traditional centralized models are increasingly inadequate in handling distributed, high-volume, and real-time data environments. Blockchain technology, known for its decentralized, transparent, and tamper-proof architecture, is emerging as a transformative solution in networking. This special issue explores the integration of blockchain into communication networks to address key challenges such as secure data sharing, identity management, scalability bottlenecks, and trustless automation. Particular emphasis is given to its role in smart connectivity, decentralized infrastructures, and emerging applications in domains like healthcare, vehicular networks, and industrial systems. We invite original research, case studies, and surveys that showcase novel blockchain-based frameworks and protocols aimed at shaping the future of secure, scalable, and intelligent communication ecosystems.

The increasing complexity of modern communication systems as driven by IoT, 5G, edge computing, and connected healthcare, has brought forward significant challenges related to data security, network scalability, trust, and interoperability. Traditional networking models, which rely on centralized authorities, are prone to single points of failure, data breaches, and limited scalability when handling the vast, decentralized nature of these technologies. Additionally, sensitive domains such as healthcare require stringent data privacy, integrity, and auditability, which conventional systems often fail to guarantee. Blockchain technology offers a potential solution through its decentralized, tamper-evident, and consensus-driven infrastructure. However, integrating blockchain with communication networks introduces new challenges like latency, resource constraints, and protocol compatibility. This special issue seeks to address these gaps by presenting research and innovations that combine blockchain with networking and communication systems to enable secure, scalable, and smart connectivity. Proposed approaches may include lightweight consensus mechanisms, blockchain-enabled routing protocols, secure data exchange frameworks, and real-time decentralized identity management. By fostering interdisciplinary research, the issue aims to pave the way for robust, trustworthy, and application-driven communication ecosystems, especially in sensitive and mission-critical domains like healthcare and industrial automation.

This special issue invites original research articles, and review papers focusing on the integration of blockchain technology in networking and communication systems, with particular attention to security, scalability, and smart connectivity. Contributors may address (but are not limited to) the following themes:

-Blockchain for secure IoT and 5G communications

-Decentralized identity and access management

-Lightweight and scalable blockchain protocols

-Blockchain in edge and fog computing

-Smart contracts for autonomous communication systems

-Secure data exchange in healthcare networks

-Blockchain-based intrusion detection and prevention

-Consensus mechanisms optimized for networking environments

-Blockchain applications in vehicular and industrial communication

-Performance analysis and real-world deployments

We welcome original research articles, case studies, and industry survey papers that demonstrate novel ideas, theoretical advancements, or practical implementations with significant implications for next-generation secure communication systems.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Community Case Study
• Curriculum, Instruction, and Pedagogy
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Policy Brief
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Smart Connectivity, Blockchain based Network Security, Distributed Ledger Technologies, Scalable Blockchain Protocols, Networks, Communications, Blockchain Technology, Decentralized Identity Management, Consensus Mechanisms, Smart Contracts

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.