Alternative Shared Key Replacement in Heterogeneous Wireless Sensor Networks

Key management is considered as the fundamental part of any secure communication. In previous work, we propose RKPH scheme that was improved based on connectivity and resiliency compared to some other schemes. In this paper, we propose ARKPH, a modified scheme of RKPH that decrease impact of node compromise on sensor network security. In this scheme that we name it as alternative shared key replacement, impact of existence of multiple shared key between two nodes is studied. In RKPH, with compromising a secure link, link expire and secure connection between two neighboring node terminate. Expiring secure connections cause that connectivity in network decrease. For decreasing effect of compromising a node on expiring secure connections, we discover another shared key between two nodes that have not compromised yet. This work is done directly or indirectly by cluster head. Simulation results show that expiring secure connections in ARKPH scheme is decreased.