Title: Location verification using bidirectional one-way hash function in wireless sensor networks

Authors: Yann-Hang Lee, Jin Wook Lee, Vikram Phadke, Amit Deshmukh

Addresses: Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-8809, USA. ' Networking Technology Lab., Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 111, Suwon 440-600, Korea. ' Software Group, Qualcomm Inc., 5775, Morehouse Drive San Diego, CA 92121, USA. ' Software Group, Siemens Information and Communication Mobile LLC, 16745 West Bernardo Drive, San Diego, CA 92127, USA

Abstract: Evolving networks of wireless ad hoc sensing nodes have many attractive applications. Localisation, that is to determine where a given node is physically located, is a key enabler for many applications of sensor networks. As sensor networks move closer to extensive deployments, security becomes a major concern, resulting in a new demand for secure localisation and location proving systems. We propose a secure localisation system based on a secure hop algorithm. A location verification system that allows the base station to verify the location claims of sensor nodes is also presented. It prevents a node from falsifying reported location information and can be used for location-based access control. In order to support the resource-constrained sensor nodes, the proposed approach makes use of efficient one-way hash functions. Finally, we report the evaluation of the secure localisation system. The proposed scheme performs well under a range of scenarios tested and is resilient against an attacker creating incorrect location information in other nodes.

Keywords: localisation; one-way hash functions; location verification; security; sensor networks; wireless networks; ad hoc networks; secure hop algorithm; access control.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSNET.2007.012986

International Journal of Sensor Networks, 2007 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.82 - 90

Published online: 02 Apr 2007 *

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