Secure key distribution for Wireless Sensor Networks

A wireless sensor network (WSN) consists of a large number of small sensor nodes that collect data and send it to a base station, with the help of other nodes. Securing unattended WSNs is a challenging task as networks can be subjected not only to the traditional attacks on wireless networks including eavesdropping and jamming, but also new attacks due to physical insecurity of the nodes. Providing security is particularly challenging because sensor nodes have limited computational resources and so new security mechanisms must be carefully designed. To secure communication between two nodes, a shared cryptographic key between the two nodes must be established. Random key pre-distribution systems provide an efficient approach to key establishment in such networks that guarantee security against passive adversaries. We revisit these systems and show how to design systems with security guarantee against powerful adversaries that can not only eavesdrop the communication but also capture a subset of nodes.