Secure Hierarchical Communications in Distributed Sensor Networks

Hierarchical processing in sensor networks offers a number of operational advantages that cannot be met by flat networks of sensors. Using hierarchical architectures and in-network processing of information, the communication overhead is minimized by combining data coming from different sources -thus eliminating redundancy, minimizing the number of transmissions and eventually saving valuable network energy. In this work we focus on securing this aggregation process for all levels of the processing hierarchy. Additionally, we explain how commands can be disseminated securely using established keys. Our protocol is simple and scalable, offering efficiency in terms of computation, communication and storage overhead. Most importantly, however, it is suited for networks of sensors where configuration actions may change the way the network operates, allowing for cluster reorganization and adaptive formation of new clusters.