Diversify Sensor Nodes to Improve Security of Sensor Networks
Abstract
A fundamental challenge in securing sensor networks is that sensor nodes can be physically compromised. Most of the security mechanisms relies on the secrecy of some important data that is stored on sensor nodes. For example, for encryption, the security depends on the secrecy of keys. Because of the lack of physical security and memory protection, sensors can be captured by adversaries, and secret keys stored in memories can be compromised. Once those secrets are disclosed, a sensor is completely compromised, i.e., adversaries can command the sensor to behave maliciously. It is important to protect those sensitive data even if sensor nodes are compromised. Our goal is not restricted to protect each node, but instead, to protect a significant number of sensors from being compromised. To avoid failure caused by a few malfunctioned or malicious sensors, sensor-network applications often adopt fault-tolerance technologies, so the compromise of a small number of sensor nodes does not compromise the entire mission. However, when a significant number of sensors are compromised, the trusted computing infrastructure depended upon by sensor networks can be compromised.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADP023725
Entities
People
- Wenliang Du
Organizations
- Syracuse University