Security, Privacy and Trust in 6G Communication Networks

Dear Colleagues,

Fifth-generation (5G) networks will reach their limits around 2030 given the current trend of annual growth in mobile traffic. Therefore, industrial standards, developing organisations, and academia are gearing up their research efforts for the anticipated six-generation (6G) networks, which will be required to meet the demands of mobile communications in 2030 and beyond. The sixth generation is envisaged to provide near 100% global coverage, lower latency, and higher connection density in comparison to 5G. To achieve these goals, new paradigm shifts are currently under investigation in terms of global coverage, the utilised spectrum, artificial intelligence (AI) nativity, and security. Naturally, 6G will encompass multidimensional, multitiered, and heterogenous networks with complex requirements for service provisioning, control, and security. It will not be bound by terrestrial communication networks and will integrate aerial and satellite communications to achieve a space–air–ground communication network (SAGIN).

To operate effectively across multiple network domains and segments, security, privacy, and trust must be embedded in the 6G network architecture to ensure its resilience. Blockchain is an emerging technology that can provide high security, privacy, and transparency to network use cases. However, novel techniques and designs of blockchain architecture, consensus, blocks, ledgers, smart contracts, and operations for implementation in 6G networks are needed. This Special Issue seeks novel contributions in the following areas, among others:

• Lightweight cryptographic hash algorithms for blockchain in 6G networks;
• Decentralised consensus algorithms for blockchain in 6G networks;
• Energy-efficient blockchain mechanisms for deployment in 6G networks;
• 6G-oriented blockchain architectures;
• Optimisation of blockchain operations in 6G networks;
• Reliable and resilient blockchain for 6G networks;
• Secure and privacy-preserving techniques for blockchain in 6G networks;
• Role of AI in designing smart blockchain for 6G networks;
• Smart contract design and verification for 6G networks.

Dr. Max Hashem Eiza
Dr. Vinh Thong Ta
Guest Editors

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