A verifiable group key agreement protocol based on two-tier architecture in wireless Ad hoc network

In this paper, a novel key group agreement scheme based on two-tier architecture in wireless Ad hoc network is proposed. A centralized group key agreement is applied in the lower layer of network, and a distributed group key agreement is applied in the upper layer of network. Therefore, it gains the advantages of two key agreement modes to increase network flexibility and group key updating efficiency. And there is an identity authentication mechanism using elliptic curve cryptosystem in group key agreement, which can keep network from active attacks. The analysis results show that the proposed scheme is secure against the active and passive attacks, and reduces the computation and communication load. It can protect Ad hoc from attacks with high security and usability.