Internet of Things-Based Physical Security Systems for Smart Cities in Saudi Arabia: A Vision 2030 Framework

Abstract

The rapid digitalisation of cities in Saudi Arabia is leading to a greater number of connected cameras, access-control devices, environmental sensors, edge gateways and city platforms being used for the protection of people, buildings and critical infrastructure. While these systems can enhance situational awareness, they also turn physical security into a cyber-physical issue in which compromised identities, networks, analytics or actuators can have real-world effects. This review draws on peer-reviewed evidence published between 2020 and 2025 to look at how Internet of Things technologies can support physical security in Saudi smart cities while remaining resilient, privacy-conscious and operationally governable. Thirty studies verified by DOI were examined using a structured integrative approach that included topics such as smart-city security, IoT architectures, video analytics, intrusion detection, distributed trust, federated learning, digital twins, emergency response and Saudi urban governance. The synthesis highlights five interdependent capability areas: trusted sensing, edge intelligence, resilient connectivity, secure city platforms and coordinated response. It concludes that the technical effectiveness of these systems is more a matter of managing device identity, software provenance, data minimisation, model assurance, interoperability and multi-agency operating procedures than of adding more sensors. A framework aligned with Vision 2030 is suggested, focusing on risk-based zoning, zero-trust device governance, privacy-preserving analytics, resilient edge-cloud orchestration, integrated command workflows and lifecycle assurance. The framework views physical security as an adaptive public-service capability rather than as a set of separate surveillance products. The research priorities are Saudi field trials, climate-resilient sensing, common evaluation benchmarks, measuring privacy impacts and carrying out a longitudinal assessment of human-centred security outcomes.