Pairwise key setup and authentication utilizing deployment information for secure sensor network

Abstract

For secure sensor network communications, pairwise key establishment between sensor nodes and data authentication are essential. In this paper, we propose cluster based key establishment mechanism in which clusterheads distribute key materials at the requests of their own members and an authentication mechanism using the pairwise keys established. Our proposal increases the degree of network connectivity and resilience against node capture by utilizing clusterheads which carry more key-related information. It also increases the authenticity of sensed data and further decreases unnecessary traffic by filtering false data.