IoT-Based Systems for Resilient Smart Cities

A special issue of Information (ISSN 2078-2489). This special issue belongs to the section "Internet of Things (IoT)".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2025) | Viewed by 32114

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
ENEA National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, 00196 Rome, Italy
Interests: ontologies; knowledge graphs; AI; IoT-based systems; smart cities; LLM-based tools; resilience of critical infrastructures; tools for safety management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
ENEA National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, 00196 Rome, Italy
Interests: knowledge graphs; semantic applications; AI; smart cities; RAG; LLM-based tools; crisis management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The IoT and, more generally, sensor-based systems provide the building blocks for the majority of smart city applications, spanning from domain-specific support services, such as for mobility, home, economy, health, and infrastructure, to large-scale and interoperable networked systems realized using local digital twin hubs. Thus, safety and security are among the requirements to be addressed for many of these systems during development and runtime.

IoT-based systems specifically devoted to urban security and safety are of great interest for smart cities, with challenges related to real-time requirements, accuracy, scalability, and dependability, given the many uncertainties in terms of data and events.

These aspects should be managed and assessed at both the conceptual and architectural levels and by accounting for the smartness degree of the embedded software technology to support increased types of autonomy in activities such as problem solving and decision making. The combination of the IoT and artificial intelligence to produce smart city applications aimed at improving resilience poses new social challenges, intertwined with security and safety issues, such as trust, ethics, and data protection, which require systemic and multidisciplinary system quality assessment.

This Special Issue aims to provide a new outlook on the models, methods, innovative technologies, and cutting-edge implementations for safe and secure cities. These include applications such as monitoring systems based on sensor, drone, and/or satellite data or data-intensive urban platforms, and approaches and techniques for safety analysis and assessment. It solicits research papers, experience-based papers, and comprehensive literature reviews and surveys on approaches for smart city safety and security.

Dr. Maria Luisa Villani
Dr. Antonio De Nicola
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • IoT systems architectures for urban security
  • safety and security assessment of IoT systems
  • multisensor data fusion for safety-critical systems
  • middleware for real-time IoT-based applications
  • software engineering for local digital twins
  • model-based engineering of safety-critical IoT systems
  • dependability of autonomous systems for smart cities
  • semantic sensor networks and knowledge graphs for resilient cities
  • ontologies for resilient IoT systems
  • image and video processing for urban security
  • real-time and predictive monitoring of IoT-based applications for critical infrastructure
  • augmented reality for safety and security
  • formal verification of dependability requirements for the IoT
  • Artificial Intelligence and the IoT for threat detection systems
  • resilience of IoT systems
  • modeling and simulation for IoT systems
  • business intelligence methods for assessment of IoT systems
  • big data management
  • new technology for command and control
  • webGIS and data-driven user interfaces for real-time monitoring of the IoT
  • blockchain technology for IoT systems
  • cybersecurity assessment for IoT systems

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 9916 KB  
Article
Milliwatt μ-TEG-Powered Vibration Monitoring System for Industrial Predictive Maintenance Applications
by Raúl Aragonés, Roger Malet, Joan Oliver, Alex Prim, Denis Mascarell, Marc Salleras, Luis Fonseca, Alex Rodríguez-Iglesias, Albert Tarancón, Alex Morata, Federico Baiutti and Carles Ferrer
Information 2024, 15(9), 545; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15090545 - 6 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5277
Abstract
This paper presents a novel waste-heat-powered, wireless, and battery-less Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) device designed for predictive maintenance in Industry 4.0 environments. With a focus on real-time quality data, this device addresses the limitations of current battery-operated IIoT devices, such as energy [...] Read more.
This paper presents a novel waste-heat-powered, wireless, and battery-less Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) device designed for predictive maintenance in Industry 4.0 environments. With a focus on real-time quality data, this device addresses the limitations of current battery-operated IIoT devices, such as energy consumption, transmission range, data rate, and constant quality of service. It is specifically developed for heat-intensive industries (e.g., iron and steel, cement, petrochemical, etc.), where self-heating nodes, low-power processing platforms, and industrial sensors align with the stringent requirements of industrial monitoring. The presented IIoT device uses thermoelectric generators based on the Seebeck effect to harness waste heat from any hot surface, such as pipes or chimneys, ensuring continuous power without the need for batteries. The energy that is recovered can be used to power devices using mid-range wireless protocols like Bluetooth 5.0, minimizing the need for extensive in-house wireless infrastructure and incorporating light-edge computing. Consequently, up to 98% of cloud computation efforts and associated greenhouse gas emissions are reduced as data is processed within the IoT device. From the environmental perspective, the deployment of such self-powered IIoT devices contributes to reducing the carbon footprint in energy-demanding industries, aiding their digitalization transition towards the industry 5.0 paradigm. This paper presents the results of the most challenging energy harvesting technologies based on an all-silicon micro thermoelectric generator with planar architecture. The effectiveness and self-powering ability of the selected model, coupled with an ultra-low-power processing platform and Bluetooth 5 connectivity, are validated in an equivalent industrial environment to monitor vibrations in an electric machine. This approach aligns with the EU’s strategic objective of achieving net zero manufacturing capacity for renewable energy technologies, enhancing its position as a global leader in renewable energy technology (RET). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue IoT-Based Systems for Resilient Smart Cities)
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Review

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39 pages, 2472 KB  
Review
Beyond the Comfort Zone: A Review and Gap Analysis of Fuzzing in Smart City IoT Ecosystems
by Qiao Li and Kai Gao
Information 2026, 17(3), 218; https://doi.org/10.3390/info17030218 - 24 Feb 2026
Viewed by 170
Abstract
With the widespread application of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in smart cities, its security issues have become increasingly prominent. Fuzzing, as an efficient automated vulnerability discovery technique, has been widely used in IoT security assessment. However, current research mostly focuses on general [...] Read more.
With the widespread application of Internet of Things (IoT) technology in smart cities, its security issues have become increasingly prominent. Fuzzing, as an efficient automated vulnerability discovery technique, has been widely used in IoT security assessment. However, current research mostly focuses on general IoT environments or specific device types, lacking a systematic analysis of the complex, dynamic, and deeply integrated context of smart cities. This paper presents a review and integration of 42 representative IoT fuzzing studies published between 2021 and 2025, analyzed via an eight-dimensional analytical framework. It reveals significant gaps with reports on real-world attacks on the IoT systems between current research and the practical security needs of smart cities across three dimensions: device, protocol, and methodology. Based on this, this paper innovatively proposes: (1) an Observability-Complexity Based IoT Device Classification Model based on device observability and business logic complexity, providing a navigation chart for migrating testing capabilities across devices; (2) a technology migration framework based on protocol feature matching, facilitating rapid coverage of emerging and vertical protocols; (3) a methodological evolution path from “vulnerability mining” to “system resilience probing.” This research aims to promote the future role of IoT fuzzing in the assessment and assurance of smart city security resilience by providing structured analytical tools and clear research directions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue IoT-Based Systems for Resilient Smart Cities)
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18 pages, 7819 KB  
Review
Low-Power Wake-Up Receivers for Resilient Cellular Internet of Things
by Siyu Wang, Trevor J. Odelberg, Peter W. Crary, Mason P. Obery and David D. Wentzloff
Information 2025, 16(1), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/info16010043 - 13 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5289
Abstract
Smart Cities leverage large networks of wirelessly connected nodes embedded with sensors and/or actuators. Cellular IoT, such as NB-IoT and 5G RedCap, is often preferred for these applications thanks to its long range, extensive coverage, and good quality of service. In these networks, [...] Read more.
Smart Cities leverage large networks of wirelessly connected nodes embedded with sensors and/or actuators. Cellular IoT, such as NB-IoT and 5G RedCap, is often preferred for these applications thanks to its long range, extensive coverage, and good quality of service. In these networks, wireless communication dominates power consumption, motivating research on energy-efficient yet resilient and robust wireless systems. Many IoT use cases require low latency but cannot afford high-power radios continuously operating to accomplish this. In these cases, wake-up receivers (WURs) are a promising solution: while the high-power main radio (MR) is turned off/idle, a lightweight WUR is continuously monitoring the RF channel; when it detects a wake-up sequence, the WUR will turn on the MR for subsequent communications. This article provides an overview of WUR hardware design considerations and challenges for 4G and 5G cellular IoT, summarizes the recent 3GPP activities to standardize NB-IoT and 5G wake-up signals, and presents a state-of-the-art WUR chip. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue IoT-Based Systems for Resilient Smart Cities)
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26 pages, 2894 KB  
Review
The Implementation of “Smart” Technologies in the Agricultural Sector: A Review
by Fotis Assimakopoulos, Costas Vassilakis, Dionisis Margaris, Konstantinos Kotis and Dimitris Spiliotopoulos
Information 2024, 15(8), 466; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15080466 - 6 Aug 2024
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 10584
Abstract
The growing global population demands an increase in agricultural production and the promotion of sustainable practices. Smart agriculture, driven by advanced technologies, is crucial to achieving these goals. These technologies provide real-time information for crop monitoring, yield prediction, and essential farming functions. However, [...] Read more.
The growing global population demands an increase in agricultural production and the promotion of sustainable practices. Smart agriculture, driven by advanced technologies, is crucial to achieving these goals. These technologies provide real-time information for crop monitoring, yield prediction, and essential farming functions. However, adopting intelligent farming systems poses challenges, including learning new systems and dealing with installation costs. Robust support is crucial for integrating smart farming into practices. Understanding the current state of agriculture, technology trends, and the challenges in technology acceptance is essential for a smooth transition to Agriculture 4.0. This work reports on the pivotal synergy of IoT technology with other research trends, such as weather forecasting and robotics. It also presents the applications of smart agriculture worldwide, with an emphasis on government initiatives to support farmers and promote global adoption. The aim of this work is to provide a comprehensive review of smart technologies for precision agriculture and especially of their adoption level and results on the global scale; to this end, this review examines three important areas of smart agriculture, namely field, greenhouse, and livestock monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue IoT-Based Systems for Resilient Smart Cities)
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Other

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20 pages, 516 KB  
Systematic Review
Roadmap for Implementing Business Intelligence Systems in Higher Education Institutions: Systematic Literature Review
by Romeu Sequeira, Arsénio Reis, Paulo Alves and Frederico Branco
Information 2024, 15(4), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/info15040208 - 7 Apr 2024
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 8829
Abstract
Higher education institutions (HEIs) make decisions in several domains, namely strategic and internal management, without using systematized data that support these decisions, which may jeopardize the success of their actions or even their efficiency. Thus, HEIs must define and monitor strategies and policies [...] Read more.
Higher education institutions (HEIs) make decisions in several domains, namely strategic and internal management, without using systematized data that support these decisions, which may jeopardize the success of their actions or even their efficiency. Thus, HEIs must define and monitor strategies and policies essential for decision making in their various areas and levels, in which business intelligence (BI) plays a leading role. This study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) aimed at identifying and analyzing primary studies that propose a roadmap for the implementation of a BI system in HEIs. The objectives of the SLR are to identify and characterize (i) the strategic objectives that underlie decision making, activities, processes, and information in HEIs; (ii) the BI systems used in HEIs; (iii) the methods and techniques applied in the design of a BI architecture in HEIs. The results showed that there is space for developing research in this area since it was possible to identify several studies on the use of BI in HEIs, although a roadmap for its implementation was not identified, making it necessary to define a roadmap for the implementation of BI systems that can serve as a reference for HEIs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue IoT-Based Systems for Resilient Smart Cities)
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