  This paper introduces the zk-IoT framework, a novel approach to enhancing the
security of Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystems through the use of
Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs) on blockchain platforms. Our framework ensures the
integrity of firmware execution and data processing in potentially compromised
IoT devices. By leveraging the concept of ZKP, we establish a trust layer that
facilitates secure, autonomous communication between IoT devices in
environments where devices may not inherently trust each other. The framework
includes zk-Devices, which utilize functional commitment to generate proofs for
executed programs, and service contracts for encoding interaction logic among
devices. It also utilizes a blockchain layer and a relayer as a ZKP storage and
data communication protocol, respectively. Our experiments demonstrate that
proof generation, reading, and verification take approximately 694, 5078, and
19 milliseconds in our system setup, respectively. These timings meet the
practical requirements for IoT device communication, demonstrating the
feasibility and efficiency of our solution. The zk-IoT framework represents a
significant advancement in the realm of IoT security, paving the way for
reliable and scalable IoT networks across various applications, such as smart
city infrastructures, healthcare systems, and industrial automation.
