Delegated authentication in an internet of things (IoT) network

A method includes performing, by a processor of a network controller of a network: storing device identifications corresponding to respective ones of a plurality of devices connected via the network, respectively, storing an association between a first one and a second one of the plurality of devices, the association being represented as a pairing identification code corresponding to the first and second ones of the plurality of devices, receiving a communication from an intruder device, the communication comprising the device identification corresponding to one of the first and the second ones of the plurality of devices, sending a request to the intruder device to communicate the pairing identification code, and denying access to the network to the intruder device responsive to the intruder device failing to communicate the pairing identification code.