Authentication and Identification of Sensor Nodes to Avoid Unauthorized Access in Sensor Networks

Abstract: With the increasing popularity of Internet of Things (IoT), network connected devices and sensors, to easier collect data is security an aspect that must not be forgotten. When sensitive data, such as personal or private data, is sent over the network without protection can it easier be obtained by anyone who want to get their hands on it. This risk increases with the value of the data sent and an increase in security should therefore follow this value. Based on this is it therefore important to look at the security aspects of a sensor network to find ways to easy integrate security such as authentication. This to make sure that the only devices and users accessing or sending data on the network is authorized and not malicious devices. This thesis focuses on the authentication and identification of the devices joining the network to make sure that only trusted devices would be able to join. The protocol in focus is ZigBee but the proposed solution can be integrated with any protocol and utilizes a Key Distribution Center (KDC) together with an authentication method based on the Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) to authenticate new devices before they are allowed into the network. This solution is secure and relatively simple which makes it easy to integrate with any sensor network.