King Saud University has achieved a new international scientific milestone with the publication of a specialized research study on Internet of Things (IoT) security in Computer Science Review, a journal ranked among the top 5% worldwide in computer science and artificial intelligence, a step that reflects the university's continued research influence and growing global academic standing.

The study, titled "A Comprehensive Review of Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities, Threats and Solutions in the Internet of Things at the Network and Application Levels", presents an integrated scientific analysis of the relationship between the network and application layers within IoT systems, moving beyond the traditional approach that treats each layer separately.

The research team adopted an integrative review methodology covering scientific studies published between 2009 and 2024, drawing on trusted global databases including IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, PubMed and arXiv, strengthening the accuracy and scientific credibility of the results.

The study showed that IoT systems can be divided into three main categories: real-time systems, decision-making systems, and query and survey systems, which helps improve security risk assessment for each type.

The researchers also presented an advanced analytical framework linking the main security weaknesses, such as shortcomings in encryption and authentication and potential cyberattacks, to appropriate defensive solutions for each application scenario. They recommended adopting a zero-trust model supported by artificial intelligence, edge computing and software-defined networking to strengthen the protection of smart systems in sensitive environments.

The study was prepared by an international research team led by Professor Abdul Razaque, information security researcher at International Information Technology University in Kazakhstan, together with Dr. Abrar bint Mohammed Al Ajlan, Associate Professor of Computer Science and AI at King Saud University, in a scientific collaboration aimed at developing comprehensive security solutions for IoT challenges.

The study carries particular importance for its practical applications across multiple sectors, including smart healthcare, smart cities, and industrial and logistics systems, where the proposed framework improves the detection of security vulnerabilities and the speed of response to cyberattacks, supporting the reliability and sustainability of modern digital systems.

The achievement extends King Saud University's efforts to support quality research in cybersecurity and AI and strengthen its presence in global scientific indices and rankings through knowledge production that keeps pace with digital transformation and rapid technological development.

At a Glance

  • Institution: King Saud University
  • Publication date: 29 April 2026
  • Journal ranking: top 5% worldwide in computer science and AI
  • Study title: A Comprehensive Review of Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities, Threats and Solutions in the Internet of Things
  • Period reviewed: 2009 to 2024
  • Databases used: IEEE Xplore, ScienceDirect, PubMed, arXiv
  • Key findings: classification of IoT systems into three main types; an analytical framework for vulnerabilities and defenses; a recommendation to apply the zero-trust model
  • Recommended technologies: artificial intelligence, edge computing, software-defined networking (SDN)
  • Application areas: smart healthcare, smart cities, industrial systems, logistics
  • Authors: Professor Abdul Razaque (IITU, Kazakhstan) and Dr. Abrar Al Ajlan (King Saud University)