Variance-driven security optimisation in industrial IoT sensors

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has transformed industrial operations with real-time monitoring and control, enhancing efficiency and productivity. However, this connectivity brings significant security challenges. This study addresses these challenges by identifying abnormal sensor data patterns using machine learning-based anomaly detection models. The proposed framework employs advanced algorithms to strengthen industrial defences against cyber threats and disruptions. Focusing on temperature anomalies, a critical yet often overlooked aspect of industrial security, this research fills a gap in the literature by evaluating machine learning models for this purpose. A novel variance-based model for temperature anomaly detection is introduced, demonstrating high efficacy with accuracy scores of 0.92 and 0.82 on the NAB and AnoML-IOT datasets, respectively. Additionally, the model achieved F1 scores of 0.96 and 0.89 on these datasets, underscoring its effectiveness in enhancing IIoT security and optimising cybersecurity for industrial processes. This research not only identifies security vulnerabilities but also presents concrete solutions to improve the security posture of IIoT systems.