Call For Papers

Special issue on: Cybersecurity Issues and Challenges in Internet of Energy (IoE)

The Internet of Things (IoT) has profoundly transformed industries, with one of its most impactful applications being in the Internet of Energy (IoE). The IoE represents a next-generation, intelligent energy network that integrates renewable and nonrenewable energy sources with cutting-edge IoT technologies. This interconnected system optimizes the way energy is generated, transmitted, distributed, and consumed, ultimately promoting more efficient and sustainable energy management. The IoE envisions a world where real-time data from smart sensors and connected devices enable precise control over energy flows, allowing for reduced energy waste, lower costs, and a more seamless transition to renewable energy sources. By connecting devices across the energy grid, from generation plants to consumers, IoT technologies support intelligent decision making and enable energy systems to adapt dynamically to changing supply and demand conditions. However, the reliance on IoT technologies in IoE introduces significant cybersecurity challenges. The large-scale deployment of interconnected devices amplifies the attack surface, as each device potentially serves as a gateway for malicious attacks. Resource-constrained devices require lightweight yet robust security mechanisms to avoid performance degradation. Additionally, securing the real-time data exchanged between IoE devices and control centers is vital, as compromised data could disrupt energy operations or lead to large-scale grid failures. Emerging threats, such as AI-driven adversarial attacks and supply chain vulnerabilities, further complicate the security landscape. For example, manipulated sensor data could lead to incorrect decisions, causing operational disruptions or even blackouts. Physical security risks are also prevalent, given the deployment of IoE devices in remote or unsecured locations. The 2017 Triton malware attack on a Saudi petrochemical facility exemplifies the catastrophic potential of IoT vulnerabilities in energy networks. By exploiting vulnerabilities in IoT-connected safety instrumentation systems (SIS), attackers were able to disable critical safety controls, risking catastrophic system failures.

This Special Issue addresses the pressing need to develop scalable, adaptive, and innovative cybersecurity solutions for IoE. Given the critical role of energy systems in modern infrastructure, securing IoE is paramount for ensuring reliability, stability, and public safety.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

- Cybersecurity architectures and frameworks for IoE.
- Challenges and solutions for securing IoE systems.
- Secure authentication mechanisms for IoE devices.
- Secure communication protocols for IoE devices.
- Lightweight encryption techniques for resource constrained IoE devices.
- Protection against denial-of-service (DoS) attacks and data integrity threats in IoE.
- AI-driven anomaly/intrusion detection for IoE cybersecurity.
- Privacy-preserving techniques for IoE cybersecurity.
- Infrastructure and hardware development for securing IoE devices.
- Blockchain-enabled IoE systems.
- LLM-driven solutions for IoE cybersecurity.
- Performance evaluations, simulation tools, and methodologies for IoE cybersecurity.

Important Dates

- Manuscript Submission Deadline: 1 July 2025
- Initial Decision: 1 October 2025
- Revised Manuscript Due: 1 November 2025
- Final Decision: 1 December 2025
- Final Manuscript Due: 10 December 2025
- Publication Date: January 2026


Guest Editors

Boubiche Djallel Eddine
Higher National School HNS-RE2SD, Algeria

Gwanggil Jeon
Incheon National University, South Korea

Abdellah Chehri
Royal Military College of Canada

Murat Kuzlu
Old Dominion University Norfolk, USA

Gang Li
Deakin University, Australia