Security in Wireless Sensor Networks for Open Controller

Abstract: In this thesis we develop, evaluate and implement a security solution for Open Controllers wireless sensor network platform. A scenario is used to describe an exemplar application showing how our system is supposed to function. The security of the platform is analyzed using a well-established threat modeling process and attack trees which result in the identification of a number of risks, which could be security weaknesses. These attack trees visualize the security weaknesses in an easy to access way even for individuals without special security expertise. We develop a security solution to counter these identified risks. The developed security solution consists of three different security levels together with a number of new security policies. Each additional level applies different security mechanisms to provide increasingly improved security for the platform. The new security policies ensure that the security solution is continuously secure during its operating time. We implement part of the security solution in the Contiki operating system to assess its function in practice. Finally we evaluate the developed security solution by looking back to the previously identified weaknesses and the implementation proving that the security solution mitigates the risks.