Power Consumption Analysis as a Detection Indicator for Cyberattacks on Smart Home Devices

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of smart home devices has created new opportunities for cyberthreats and -attacks, necessitating effective security measures for their protection. This study investigates the potential of using power consumption analysis as an indicator for detecting cyberattacks on smart home devices. Through the examination of power data from a hardware testbed of 10 different devices over a one-month period, distinct groups of devices with varying power consumption patterns during simulated cyberattacks were identified. The findings reveal noticeable changes in power consumption during attacks across all devices, suggesting that monitoring power data could help detect threats and initiate appropriate countermeasures. Moreover, this study provides insights into the limitations and challenges associated with the stated approach and suggests avenues for future research. This study contributes to smart home security by demonstrating the feasibility of using power consumption analysis as an additional layer of protection for IoT devices and their users.