Security in Wireless Sensor Networks: Considerations and Experiments

• Published in: Embedded Computer Systems: Architectures, Modeling, and Simulation pp. 167 - 177
• Main Authors: Hämäläinen, Panu, Kuorilehto, Mauri, Alho, Timo, Hännikäinen, Marko, Hämäläinen, Timo D.
• Format: Book Chapter Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin, Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 2006; Springer
• Series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science
• Subjects: Advance Encryption Standard; Applied sciences; Authentication Scheme; Block Cipher; Computer science; control theory; systems; Computer systems and distributed systems. User interface; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Integrated circuits; Integrated circuits by function (including memories and processors); Memory and file management (including protection and security); Memory organisation. Data processing; Message Authentication Code; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Software; Wireless Sensor Network; Low energy; Boarded computer; Surveillance; Authentication; Wireless network; Distributed system; Cryptography; Ad hoc network; Sensor array; Computer security; Monitoring
• ISBN: 3540364102; 9783540364108
• ISSN: 0302-9743; 1611-3349
• DOI: 10.1007/11796435_18

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are seen as attractive solutions for various monitoring and controlling applications, a large part of which require protection. Due to the special characteristics of WSNs, e.g. low processing and energy resources and ad hoc networking, developing a reliable security solution becomes a challenging task. In this paper we survey various security aspects of WSNs, consisting of threats, attacks, and proposed solutions. We also present experiments with our own WSN technology (TUTWSN), concentrating on a centralized key distribution and authentication service. Our experiments suggest that a centralized scheme can be a feasible solution in certain WSN configurations.