RIS-Assisted Secure ISAC: Fundamentals, Applications, and Future Directions

Abstract

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has emerged as a key enabler for sixth-generation (6G) networks, yet its broadcast nature at the physical layer leaves transmissions vulnerable to malicious eavesdropping, particularly when physical blockages degrade direct links. Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) offers a promising defense paradigm at the physical layer to address these issues, by reconstructing virtual line-of-sight links and dynamically reshaping the spatial propagation environment. In this article, we provide a comprehensive overview of RIS-assisted secure ISAC systems, covering its fundamentals, practical applications, and open future research directions. We first outline cooperative deployment topologies and basic electromagnetic operating principles. We then analyze the technical advantages of passive RIS integration in mitigating bottlenecks in resource competition across communication secrecy, sensing precision, and hardware sustainability. We also present representative applications, including urban vehicular networks, monitoring with unmanned aerial vehicle support, industrial Internet-of-thing, and privacy in smart homes. A case study quantifies gains in secrecy rate and spatial nulling capabilities achieved through joint active and passive beamforming under full blockage of direct links. Finally, we identify key open challenges and future research directions to enable practical, scalable, and intelligent deployment of RIS-assisted secure ISAC systems.