Developing and Applying a Sound Security Framework for Sensor Networks

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Frederik Armknecht; Dr. Zinaida Benenson
• Subject Area: Theoretical Computer Science ; Computer Architecture, Embedded and Massively Parallel Systems ; Security and Dependability, Operating-, Communication- and Distributed Systems
• Term: from 2014 to 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 263279861

Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) are characterized by the tight interaction of their computational elements, software, and physical components. They represent a change of paradigm in modern computer science. One of the most important examples for CPS are wireless sensor networks that measure and process environmental data. Sensor networks are widely employed, amongst others, in security critical applications such as early warning systems or medical telemonitoring. Despite the enormous relevance of this topic, till today a comprehensive, universal framework for a sound analysis of security features is missing. Instead the majority of existing work only provides rudimentary and informal security analysis. In particular, the state of the art does neither allow to compare nor to securely combine several schemes.The aim of this project is to close this gap. First, an appropriate security framework is developed. Afterwards, provably secure solutions for the most important security goals are derived within the developed framework. Due to the particular properties of sensor networks, this project requires interdisciplinary collaboration of experts from the fields of sensor networks and cryptography. In consequence, this application aims for a cooperative project between two working groups.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants