An adaptive security model for dynamic node behaviour in MANETs

Abstract

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) have become a viable platform owing to their potential of providing communication without any pre-existing infrastructure and central administrating authority. Mutual support and co-operation among nodes are prerequisites for performing functions in such networks. The scarcity of resources makes it economical for nodes to conserve their resources and misbehave by avoiding participation in the network. Therefore, a mechanism is required to detect and handle such misbehaving nodes and promote co-operation in the network. Existing techniques for handling misbehaving nodes focus only on their current behaviour without considering the antecedent behaviour of nodes. In real world, a node may dynamically change its behaviour in accordance to its requirements. Hence, an efficient mechanism is required for providing security against such misbehaviour. This paper proposes an Adaptive Security Model which contemplates the present as well as anterior behaviour of nodes for providing security against dynamic node behaviour. The adaptivity of the model is nested in its ability to requite well-behaving nodes and penalize misbehaving ones in conformity with their overall behaviour. Simulation results indicate the efficiency of proposed scheme in securing the network from the menace of dynamic behaviour of nodes.