Network Security and Network Protocols

Dear Colleagues,

In the digital era, where connectivity drives global progress, network protocols and network security form the foundation of modern communication systems. The scope and scale of networked environments have grown exponentially, as demonstrated by the rapid proliferation of devices, diversified networks, and emerging paradigms like the Satellite Internet,  Internet of Things (IoT), 5G/6G networks, edge computing, and quantum systems. This evolution has brought unparalleled advancements in connectivity and efficiency but simultaneously exposed networks to sophisticated security threats, privacy challenges, and vulnerabilities. Moreover, the Internet of today faces many novel challenges (e.g., AI-powered threats, quantum computing risks, and privacy erosion) that demand not only incremental improvements but also disruptive approaches to protocols and security frameworks.

This Special Issue on “Network Protocols and Network Security” provides a platform for researchers, industry experts, and practitioners to share cutting-edge solutions addressing these challenges. Specifically, it aims to advance the design, performance, and security of both foundational and emerging network protocols while catering to the growing need for secure, robust, and scalable solutions. Another major focus is addressing the growing demand for privacy-enhancing technologies, such as anonymous communication systems. In addition, the frequent cyberattacks occurring in the present day make the analysis of software and hardware vulnerabilities significantly more important. The thematic focus areas for this Special Issue include, but are not limited to:

1. Security protocol design for Satellite Internet, 5G/6G, and IoT;
2. Quantum networking protocols;
3. Advanced intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDSs/IPSs);
4. ML/AI/LLM-related threat detection, defense, and risk assessments;
5. Anonymous communications and privacy-enhancing technologies;
6. Blockchain-enabled security and decentralized identity management;
7. Homomorphic encryption and differential privacy in federated learning;
8. Software and hardware security vulnerability analysis;
9. Cyber–physical system (CPS) security enhancement techniques.

Dr. Shengli Pan
Dr. Xuebin Wang
Dr. Chongwu Dong
Guest Editors

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