Efficient and Secure Communication in Wireless Ad-hoc Networks

Description of research

Today, many different forms of dynamic wireless ad hoc networks are subject to intensive research, including mobile ad hoc networks, wireless sensor networks, mesh networks, and vehicular ad hoc networks.

One aspect that is analyzed is how to secure such networks. Due to their dynamic nature, lack of central control, and the short-lived duration of links and communication relations, security solutions naturally differ significantly from such in traditional forms of networks.

Areas like wireless sensor networks, mesh networks, or vehicular networks have naturally attracted significant research working on security solutions. What was neglected to some extent was the efficiency and the overhead created by such solutions.

Researchers have only recently realized that a 100% secure solution is often not feasible, given the resource constraints in such networks. Instead, one now looks at security trade-offs, where one is able to dynamically adjust the trade-off between achievable security level and the negative impact on system performance that adding this security overhead has.

One other aspect is that in such networks, many applications rely on broadcast communication, something that is notoriously hard to secure, as any bi-directional protocols are ruled out.

It is the goal of this work to propose strategies for dynamic security mechanisms and investigate security-performance trade-offs, especially in the domain of vehicular communication. Such strategies should be analyzed in detail, to better understand the relations and implications between security and performance in wireless ad-hoc networks.

This also implies work on suitable evaluation mechanisms and tools, like fine-grained simulations.

Beyond, the work should investigate efficient mechanisms for broadcast authentication that could be used in wireless ad-hoc networks and that provide better efficiency than standard solutions based on asymmetric cryptography.

Advisor(s)

Dr. F. (Frank) Kargl (Supervisor)

Prof.dr. P.H. (Pieter) Hartel (Promotor)

Duration

2011 - 2015

Project

PRESERVE

Funding institution

EU FP7 ICT

Strategic Research Orientation

ISTRICE - Integrated Security and Privacy in a Networked World

Links to relevant web pages

http://dies.ewi.utwente.nl/

http://eprints.eemcs.utwente.nl/view/project/PRESERVE.html

http://www.ctit.utwente.nl/research/sro/istrice/

Pictures

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Home CTIT symposium 2013 About CTIT News NIRICT Research Meet the PhDs Working at CTIT Internal Information Conferences Open Calls (updated May 3, 2013) Library and Videos Knowledge Transfer Links Sitemap Search	Efficient and Secure Communication in Wireless Ad-hoc Networks Description of research Today, many different forms of dynamic wireless ad hoc networks are subject to intensive research, including mobile ad hoc networks, wireless sensor networks, mesh networks, and vehicular ad hoc networks. One aspect that is analyzed is how to secure such networks. Due to their dynamic nature, lack of central control, and the short-lived duration of links and communication relations, security solutions naturally differ significantly from such in traditional forms of networks. Areas like wireless sensor networks, mesh networks, or vehicular networks have naturally attracted significant research working on security solutions. What was neglected to some extent was the efficiency and the overhead created by such solutions. Researchers have only recently realized that a 100% secure solution is often not feasible, given the resource constraints in such networks. Instead, one now looks at security trade-offs, where one is able to dynamically adjust the trade-off between achievable security level and the negative impact on system performance that adding this security overhead has. One other aspect is that in such networks, many applications rely on broadcast communication, something that is notoriously hard to secure, as any bi-directional protocols are ruled out. It is the goal of this work to propose strategies for dynamic security mechanisms and investigate security-performance trade-offs, especially in the domain of vehicular communication. Such strategies should be analyzed in detail, to better understand the relations and implications between security and performance in wireless ad-hoc networks. This also implies work on suitable evaluation mechanisms and tools, like fine-grained simulations. Beyond, the work should investigate efficient mechanisms for broadcast authentication that could be used in wireless ad-hoc networks and that provide better efficiency than standard solutions based on asymmetric cryptography. Advisor(s) Dr. F. (Frank) Kargl (Supervisor) Prof.dr. P.H. (Pieter) Hartel (Promotor) Duration 2011 - 2015 Project PRESERVE Funding institution EU FP7 ICT Strategic Research Orientation ISTRICE - Integrated Security and Privacy in a Networked World Links to relevant web pages http://dies.ewi.utwente.nl/ http://eprints.eemcs.utwente.nl/view/project/PRESERVE.html http://www.ctit.utwente.nl/research/sro/istrice/ Pictures