A Survey of Secured and Fault-Tolerant Protocols for an Adaptive Wireless Sensor Network

Adaptive Wireless Sensor Networks (AWSNs) are increasingly deployed in dynamic and resource-constrained environments, heightening the need for secure and fault-tolerant communication mechanisms. This paper presents a systematic survey of protocols developed to enhance security and reliability in AWSNs. A systematic literature review methodology was employed to ensure a structured and transparent assessment of existing research. Relevant peer-reviewed studies were retrieved from major academic databases, including IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Search results were refined using predefined keywords related to AWSN security, fault tolerance, adaptive routing, and intrusion detection. The screening process involved removing duplicates, reviewing titles and abstracts, and conducting a full-text evaluation based on inclusion criteria focusing on adaptability, security capabilities, and fault-tolerant features. The survey reveals that although numerous protocols address isolated aspects such as encryption, authentication, or fault recovery, relatively few provide comprehensive adaptability to changing AWSN conditions. Lightweight cryptography, adaptive routing mechanisms, and mobility-aware intrusion detection systems emerge as promising approaches, though their performance is often limited by high energy consumption. A notable gap identified is the absence of integrated, cross-layer solutions that simultaneously support strong security, robust fault tolerance, and adaptive operation without imposing heavy computational burdens on sensor nodes. Overall, the findings of this review offer practical guidance for researchers and practitioners in selecting suitable AWSN protocols and highlight key areas requiring further investigation. The study contributes to ongoing efforts to enhance the resilience and security of AWSNs operating in dynamic and challenging environments.