Title
Efficient Hybrid Security Mechanisms for Heterogeneous Sensor Networks
Abstract
Many applications that make use of sensor networks require secure communication. Because asymmetric-key solutions are difficult to implement in such a resource-constrained environment, symmetric-key methods coupled with a priori key distribution schemes have been proposed to achieve the goals of data secrecy and integrity. These approaches typically assume that all nodes are similar in terms of capabilities and, hence, deploy the same number of keys in all sensors in a network to provide the aforementioned protections. In this paper, we demonstrate that a probabilistic unbalanced distribution of keys throughout the network that leverages the existence of a small percentage of more capable sensor nodes can not only provide an equal level of security, but also reduce the consequences of node compromise. To fully characterize the effects of the unbalanced key management system, we design, implement, and measure the performance of a complementary suite of key establishment protocols known as LIGER. Using their predeployed keys, nodes operating in isolation from external networks can securely and efficiently establish keys with each other. Should resources such as a backhaul link to a key distribution center (KDC) become available, networks implementing LIGER automatically incorporate and benefit from such facilities. Detailed experiments demonstrate that the unbalanced distribution in combination with the multimodal LIGER suite offers a robust and practical solution to the security needs in sensor networks.
Year
DOI
Venue
2007
10.1109/TMC.2007.1020
IEEE Trans. Mob. Comput.
Keywords
Field
DocType
Cryptography,Protection,Sensor phenomena and characterization,Protocols,Robustness,Multimodal sensors,Authentication,Wireless sensor networks,Wildlife
Key management,Key distribution,Key distribution in wireless sensor networks,Authentication,Computer science,Computer network,Data integrity,Key distribution center,Wireless sensor network,Secure communication,Distributed computing
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
6
6
1536-1233
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
42
1.41
34
Authors
6
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Patrick Traynor1117187.80
Raju Kumar21026.46
Heesook Choi31677.47
Guohong Cao46690326.81
Sencun Zhu52581135.53
Thomas La Porta680191.33