An efficient intrusion detection in resource-constrained mobile ad-hoc networks

Abstract

We propose an efficient intrusion detection scheme for Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs). The scheme allows the reinforcing of network security while preserving the resources of the network nodes (e.g. energy). More specifically, the proposed solution provides MANETs with a distributed intrusion detection system in which activation is made according to the estimated threat. Our approach is characterized by the use of game theory for modeling interactions between a defense coalition and a potentially malicious sender node. We study these interactions in Bayesian games by considering the uncertainty about the sender node's maliciousness. Both one-shot and repeated situations are studied in this work. Particularly, in the repeated Bayesian game formulation, the defense coalition is allowed to adapt its defense strategy by exploiting the revealed information from the observations of the sender node's past actions. Furthermore, we perform a thorough analysis of equilibria emerging from game models and their conditions of existence. Finally, a series of simulations are conducted to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.