Security for Underground Utility Data Transmission in IoT Sensor Networks

IoT sensor devices have important applications in numerous different fields. While the use of IoT sensors in underground pipelines utilizing Wireless Sensor Network already exists [1], the data transmission from IoT sensor devices in underground utility pipelines to the remote network nodes in 5G is not secure. The traditional unsecured data transmission methods raise security concerns. In this paper, we propose a cryptographic security solution in transmitting data from IoT sensor devices placed in underground utility pipeline to other 5G network nodes. Our method implements an end-to-end security with standardized Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) technology that is becoming popular in 5G. A prototype of our proposed security system was built using TI CC1352P1 Launchpads. Test results are very promising. Our proposed method can be standardized for securely monitoring any underground utility system and avoid impacts from weathering effects and abrupt climate change. The analysis presented in this paper is also valuable for any future research in monitoring underground utility pipeline with security in 5G and beyond networks.