Tools used in this study.

The growing threat of cyberattacks is a severe concern to governments, military organizations, and industries, especially with the increasing use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. To tackle this issue, researchers are working on ways to predict and prevent these attacks by studying how malware spreads. In this study, we use a discrete-time approach to better model how cyberattacks spread across IoT networks. We also focus on the role of firewalls, developing a strategy to optimize their effectiveness in slowing down the spread of malware. Additionally, we analyze the reproduction number’s sensitivity and explore the proposed discrete system’s local and global stability. The model was simulated and analyzed using Python packages, providing practical solutions to improve cybersecurity in IoT networks. These insights are supported by numerical simulations based on real-world data.