An adaptive backoff algorithm for enhanced MAC-layer security and operational efficiency in IoT and cyber–physical systems

Abstract

The proliferation of industrial IoT and cyber–physical systems demands Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols that simultaneously address security threats and operational efficiency in resource-constrained environments. Existing solutions frequently fail to provide adequate protection against real-time threats like jamming and denial-of-service (DoS) attacks while maintaining performance. We present the Adaptive MAC-layer Backoff Algorithm (AMBA), a novel protocol that enhances security, efficiency, and resilience through dynamic backoff adaptation based on real-time traffic analysis and physical-layer feedback. AMBA achieves: (1) 20 Mbps peak throughput (15.5 Mbps under jamming; 17 Mbps under DoS), (2) 50% lower latency than JR-MAC, (3) 75% improvement in packet loss resilience, and (4) 20%–30% higher Security Threat Resilience Metric (STRM) scores against diverse attacks. Evaluations demonstrate AMBA’s superiority over existing protocols while meeting the stringent reliability requirements of industrial IoT and vehicular networks. The solution’s lightweight design and scalability make it particularly suitable for next-generation cyber–physical systems where security and performance must coexist.