SGP: Security by guaranty protocol for ambient intelligence based multi agent systems

Abstract

Ambient intelligence (AmI) is an emerging multidisciplinary area based on ubiquitous computing, ubiquitous communication and intelligent user interface. AmI promises a world where people are surrounded by intelligent interfaces merged in daily life objects. However, the development of AmI systems is complex, and needs robust technologies that respond to AmI requirements such as autonomy, adaptability and context aware. One of the most prevalent alternatives is Multi Agent System (MAS) which can bring most of suitable characteristics. Yet, the success of AmI based MAS will depend on how secure it can be made. This paper presents an approach for AmI based MAS security, where each agent represents an object or a user. The set of agents is called group, and each one has a specific agent called representant. The key idea is based on encryption keys and guaranty. Members of same group share a Common Public Key (CPK), and to communicate with representant they share a Communication Key (Ck). Furthermore, if a new agent wants to communicate with the group, at least one agent belonging to this group must know it. This agent is called Guarantor Agent. The aim is to ensure that sensitive data and messages circulated among agents remain private and only trusted agents can access. © 2012 Springer-Verlag.