Proactive Defence in IoT Networks: A Scoping Review of Security Frameworks and Key Security Elements in Digital Health Systems

Proactive Defence in IoT Networks: A Scoping Review of Security Frameworks and Key Security Elements in Digital Health Systems | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Systematic Review Proactive Defence in IoT Networks: A Scoping Review of Security Frameworks and Key Security Elements in Digital Health Systems Gihan Gunasekara, Patricia A.H. Williams, Ginger Mudd This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6876032/v3 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 3 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Show more versions Abstract The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a significant role in digital health systems. IoT devices have been applied in various ways in digital health, including implantable devices, wearables, activity trackers and indigestibles. However, the rapid expansion of IoT networks has outpaced security measures, introducing significant security challenges. This scoping review examines the extent to which IoT security frameworks provide comprehensive coverage. It identifies key security elements that contribute to proactive defence in digital health environments. The specific research questions addressed are: (1) Are there any IoT network security frameworks to provide comprehensive protection for IoT Networks and digital health systems specifically? (2) What key security elements are currently used to develop a robust, proactive IoT security framework? The review covered four databases, searched for English-language peer-reviewed studies published from 2015 to 2024; independently screened by two reviewers. The results reveal that while some frameworks address discrete security areas, none provide comprehensive, end-to-end protection. This review identifies critical security elements, including vulnerability assessments, threat modelling, feedback loops and the integration of Artificial Intelligence that collectively enhance proactive security measures in IoT networks. The findings provide a structured understanding of security components, supporting the creation of comprehensive frameworks that improve the protection of IoT networks. This research contributes to the development of a robust, security framework that enhances the protection of sensitive data, promotes trust in digital health technologies and guides the implementation of best practices to secure IoT networks in digital health systems. Systems and Networking Internet of Things Digital Health IoT Security Proactive Defence IoT Networks Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 3 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Show more versions Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-6876032","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Systematic Review","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":580600675,"identity":"dee42715-e2de-4fe2-8b15-50eebbe7b66d","order_by":0,"name":"Gihan Gunasekara","email":"data:image/png;base64,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","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0006-1727-0332","institution":"Flinders University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Gihan","middleName":"","lastName":"Gunasekara","suffix":""},{"id":580600676,"identity":"dad90d4d-3180-4a1f-a255-b281a059ccb8","order_by":1,"name":"Patricia A.H. 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