A Multi-level Security Key Management Protocol Based on Dynamic M-tree Structures for Internet of Vehicles

With the gradually popular high-speed wireless networks and 5G environments, the quality and reliability of network services will be suited for mobile vehicles. In addition to communicating information between vehicles, they can also communicate information with surrounding roadside equipment, pedestrians or traffic signs, and thus improve the road safety of passers-by.Recently, various countries have continuously invested in research on autonomous driving and unmanned vehicles. The open communication environment of the Internet of Vehicles in 5G will expose all personal information in the field of wireless networks. This research is based on the consideration of information security and personal data protection. We will focus on how to protect the real-time transmission of information between mobile vehicles to prevent from imbedding or altering important transmission information by unauthorized vehicles, drivers or passers-by participating in communications. Moreover, this research proposes a multi-level security key management agreement based on a dynamic M-tree structure for Internet of Vehicles to achieve flexible and scalable key management on large-scale Internet of Vehicles.