Two improvements of random key predistribution for wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Key distribution is of a critical importance to security of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). Random key predistribution is an acknowledged approach to the key distribution problem. In this paper, we propose and analyze two novel improvements that enhance security provided by the random key predistribution schemes. The first improvement exploits limited length collisions in secure hash functions to increase the probability of two nodes sharing a key. The second improvement introduces hash chains into the key pool construction to directly increase the resilience against a node capture attack. Both improvements can be further combined to bring the best performance. We evaluate the improvements both analytically and computationally on a network simulator. The concepts used are not limited to the random key predistribution. © 2013 ICST Institute for Computer Science, Social Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering.