Journal of Cyber Security and Risk Auditing

Journal of Cyber Security and Risk Auditing

ISSN: 3079-5354 (Online)

Publishing model:

: Open access
Scopus Indexed
2025
14.7

CiteScore

Q1
open accessOpen Access

Article

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A Systematic Literature Review of Blockchain-Enabled Zero Trust Architectures for Secure Non-Terrestrial Networks in 6G Cloud–Edge Environments

by 

Abdullah Albuali Orcid link ;

Huda Aldawghan ;

Ashwag Alotaibi

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Published: 2026/03/31

Abstract

The transition to multi-layered Space-Air-Ground Integrated Networks (SAGIN) from traditional terrestrial infrastructure drastically complicates the security landscape of sixth-generation (6G) networks. In this paper, we conduct a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) evaluation on the synergistic integration of Blockchain and Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) as two core security pillars for 6G cloud-edge Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). The study investigates the use of Blockchain with Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) to ensure context-aware access control and continuous authentication, along with decentralized trust and immutability audit property provided by Blockchain. We investigate a variety of hybrid approaches aimed at countering vulnerabilities associated with the decentralized architecture of SAGIN, such as identity spoofing, jamming, and routing attacks through a thematic and quantitative synthesis. Notably, hybrid Blockchain-ZTA-based systems attained maximum attack detection accuracies of 97%, outperforming the best standalone models in addition to requiring a latency (150−300 ms) and resource overhead. This review also explores how AI-integrated 6th-generation features can enhance anomaly detection. It concludes with a clear overview of key research trends, including the scarcity of real-world deployments, and provides a roadmap for future development focused on scalability, consensus optimization, and quantum-resilient cryptography.

Keywords

BlockchainZero Trust Architecture6GNon-Terrestrial NetworksCloud-Edge ComputingDistributed Ledger TechnologySAGINSecurity and PrivacyAI-driven Trust Managementcybersecurityand Internet of Things.

Doi Link

https://doi.org/10.63180/jcsra.thestap.2026.1.5

How to Cite the Article

Albuali, A., Aldawghan, H., & Alotaibi, A. (2026). A Systematic Literature Review of Blockchain-Enabled Zero Trust Architectures for Secure Non-Terrestrial Networks in 6G Cloud-Edge Environments. Journal of Cyber Security and Risk Auditing, 2026(1), 84–112. https://doi.org/10.63180/jcsra.thestap.2026.1.5

A Systematic Literature Review of Blockchain-Enabled Zero Trust Architectures for Secure Non-Terrestrial Networks in 6G Cloud–Edge Environments is licensed under CC BY 4.0CCBY

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