Cybersecurity challenges in smart homes: A systematic literature review
Author Identifier (ORCID)
Sashah Laizah Mutasa: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1377-2862
Abstract
This systematic review identifies the dominant cybersecurity challenges in consumer smart-home environments and evaluates the suitability of published mitigation frameworks. Smart homes are gaining popularity as they provide convenience and automation through connected devices. However, the absence or lack of adequate security measures makes these homes highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. This study examines the primary cybersecurity challenges confronting smart homes and evaluates the existing frameworks and mechanisms employed to safeguard them. A structured search was conducted in September 2024 across IEEE Security & Privacy, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The Boolean string “(cybersecurity OR cyber-security OR cyber security) AND (smart homes OR smart house OR intelligent home OR intelligent house OR automated home OR automated house) AND (cyber-attacks OR cyberattacks OR cyber-attacks OR cyber risks OR cyber threats OR cyber terrorism)” retrieved 604 records. After de-duplication (53) and multi-stage screening, 27 peer-reviewed studies met all inclusion criteria (2018–2024, English, CASP score ≥8/10). An inductive, qualitative content analysis yielded three aggregate themes aligned with the research questions (RQ1–RQ3). Threats span throughout different layers of IoT system; phishing, denial-of-service and data breaches appear most frequently. Frameworks and mechanisms reviewed include GHOST, HOMEFUS, MAGPIE, Tiny SESAME, SDN-based IDSs and Ethereum-based blockchain schemes. While several achieve high detection accuracy in specific scenarios, no single framework satisfies all seven smart-home security goals (confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication, authorisation, non-repudiation and trust). A layered, hybrid approach is therefore recommended. The review is limited to four academic databases, English-language sources and the 2018–2024 window; grey literature was excluded. This review consolidates device-level, network-level, and user-centric threats alongside a broad range of academic countermeasures, highlighting where these findings align with or fail to align with emerging industry standards.
Keywords
cyber-attacks, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, smart homes
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Volume
779 IFIPAICT
Publication Title
IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology
Publisher
Springer
School
School of Business and Law
RAS ID
95492
Copyright
subscription content
First Page
259
Last Page
285
Comments
Mangundu, J., Samuel, M., Mutasa, S. L., & Matubatuba, R. (2026). Cybersecurity challenges in smart homes: A systematic literature review. In A. Elbanna, M. Janssen, Y. K. Dwivedi, M. Hossain, & A. S. Islind (Eds.), IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology: Vol. 779. Digital adoption, diffusion and innovation in the augmented and digital society (pp. 259–285). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-16779-8_17