TITLE:
Fortifying Sensor Networks Using IoT Protocols for Wireless Monitoring and Security
AUTHORS:
Godfrey Wandwi, Gabriel Dams
KEYWORDS:
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), IoT Protocols, Zigbee, CoAP, 6LoWPAN, Secure Communication, Distributed Monitoring, Protocol Vulnerabilities
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Applied Sciences,
Vol.16 No.11,
November
11,
2026
ABSTRACT: The expanding footprint of the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to redefine wireless communication, particularly in sensor-based monitoring systems where reliability, coverage, and security are paramount. This paper explores how wireless sensor networks (WSNs), integral to modern IoT architectures, remain vulnerable due to the adoption of lightweight and often under-secured communication protocols. With an emphasis on cost-efficiency and energy preservation, many sensor nodes are deployed with minimal computational resources, exposing them to a broad range of attacks. The study critically analyzes the structural composition of widely adopted IoT protocols such as Zigbee, CoAP, and 6LoWPAN used in multi-hop and mesh configurations for WSN deployments. Special attention is paid to protocol vulnerabilities at the MAC, network, and transport layers, as well as the trade-offs between security robustness and low-power operation. Through a layered approach, the paper highlights key mechanisms for strengthening protocol security ranging from adaptive encryption schemes to protocol-specific intrusion prevention strategies thereby enhancing resilience in distributed sensing environments without compromising performance or scalability.