AI-blockchain and Network function virtualization for secure and scalable network services

Abstract

As the demand for a high-performance, efficient, and secure data center operation level intensifies, traditional network architectures prove insufficient for contemporary digital environments. The emerging application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, such as cloud computing, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, and Big Data, has overburdened existing infrastructures, driving the need for advanced solutions. In this paper, a new architecture is designed that merges security and intelligence by integrating the features of Network Function Virtualization, Artificial Intelligence, and Blockchain technology. The main objective is to achieve high levels of security, reliability, and scalability in emerging networks. This is accomplished by employing intrusion detection systems based on deep learning, automatic scaling assisted by reinforcement learning, and predictive allocation of virtual tasks to ensure accountability and service efficiency. Additionally, Blockchain is utilized to provide transparent auditing mechanisms, ensure compliance with Service Level Agreements, and offer tamper-proof evidence through smart contracts and oracles. The results reveal a notable advantage over conventional systems: detection accuracy increased from 91.4% to 97.9% when combining Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain, while the false alarm rate was reduced by more than 50%. Latencies also decreased by more than 30%, Service Level Agreement adherence improved from 85.3% to 96.5%, and energy consumption was reduced by approximately 32%. The hybrid model achieved the highest trust rate (0.94), demonstrating that merging Artificial Intelligence with blockchain not only enhances technical performance but also guarantees regulatory compliance and operational reliability.