Key distribution mechanisms for wireless sensor networks : a survey

TLDR

Advances in sensor network technology enable new applications, yet the widespread deployment of mission‑critical, resource‑limited, infrastructure‑less networks raises security concerns that require efficient key distribution and management mechanisms. The study evaluates deterministic, probabilistic, and hybrid key pre‑distribution and dynamic key generation algorithms for distributing pair‑wise, group‑wise, and network‑wise keys. The authors consider distributed and hierarchical wireless sensor networks supporting unicast, multicast, and broadcast communications, and assess deterministic, probabilistic, and hybrid key pre‑distribution and dynamic key generation algorithms for pair‑wise, group‑wise, and network‑wise key distribution.

Abstract

Advances in technology introduce new application areas for sensor networks. Foreseeable wide deployment of mission critical sensor networks creates concerns on security issues. Security of large scale densely deployed and infrastructure less wireless networks of resource limited sensor nodes requires efficient key distribution and management mechanisms. We consider distributed and hierarchical wireless sensor networks where unicast, multicast and broadcast type of communications can take place. We evaluate deterministic, probabilistic and hybrid type of key pre-distribution and dynamic key generation algorithms for distributing pair-wise, group-wise and network-wise keys.