Cybersecurity in Radio Frequency Technologies: A Scientometric and Systematic Review with Implications for IoT and Wireless Applications

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Authors: Patrícia Rodrigues de Araújo, José Antonio Moreira de Rezende, Décio R. M. Faria, Otávio de Souza Martins Gomes
Cited by: 2
References: 166

Abstract

Cybersecurity in radio frequency (RF) technologies has become a critical concern, driven by the expansion of connected systems in urban and industrial environments. Although research on wireless networks and the Internet of Things (IoT) has advanced, comprehensive studies that provide a global and integrated view of cybersecurity development in this field remain limited. This work presents a scientometric and systematic review of international publications from 2009 to 2025, integrating the PRISMA protocol with semantic screening supported by a Large Language Model to enhance classification accuracy and reproducibility. The analysis identified two interdependent axes: one focusing on signal integrity and authentication in GNSS systems and cellular networks; the other addressing the resilience of IoT networks, both strongly associated with spoofing and jamming, as well as replay, relay, eavesdropping, and man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks. The results highlight the relevance of RF cybersecurity in securing communication infrastructures and expose gaps in widely adopted technologies such as RFID, NFC, BLE, ZigBee, LoRa, Wi-Fi, and unlicensed ISM bands, as well as in emerging areas like terahertz and 6G. These gaps directly affect the reliability and availability of IoT and wireless communication systems, increasing security risks in large-scale deployments such as smart cities and cyber-physical infrastructures.

Fields of Study & Subjects

RFID technology advancements Wireless Signal Modulation Classification IoT Networks and Protocols

Publication details

Journal / source
Sensors
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
26
Issue
2
Pages
747–747
Publication date
22 January 2026
Language
EN