A Privacy and Security Preservation Framework for D2D Communication Based Smart Grid Services

Long-Term-Evolution (LTE) based Device-to-Device (D2D) communication in future generation networks are envisaged to become the basis for deployment of various applications and services in Smart Grids (SGs). However related privacy and security aspects are also under serious consideration especially when dealing with large-scale deployment of services and applications related D2D groups. Current and legacy related algorithms cannot be applied directly to this new paradigm shift (i.e D2D communication and group formations). Using the IoT as the pillar communication subsystem for SGs, the service providers can deploy several applications and services some of which may include the acquisition and storage of personal information of individual SG users. However, the challenge will always be in the strict preservation of privacy and security of their personal data and thus a necessity in eliminating such concerns. In this paper we propose a general framework that employs a Group Key Management (GKM) mechanism to ensure enhanced privacy and security especially during the discovery and communication phases. We further mitigate on the impact of enhanced privacy and security in SG services and applications.