Formal Methods for Security Protocol Verification: Model Checking and Theorem Proving Approaches

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Formal methods are a key part of making sure that cryptographic systems are safe and reliable. For the purpose of checking security protocols, this paper looks into two well-known formal methods: model checking and theorem proving. When you do model checking, you go through all of a system's possible states to see if it meets certain criteria. On the other hand, theorem proving uses formal evidence and mathematical reasoning to show that protocols are correct. In the beginning of the paper, an outline of security protocols and the need for formal proof methods to make sure they are strong against possible threats is given. Then it goes into the ideas and methods behind model checking and shows how it can be used in security protocol analysis. Model checking lets you do automatic checks, which lets you look into all the possible states of a system and find any security holes. The study then looks at theorem proving as an alternative way to check protocols. Theorem proving uses mathematical thinking to make formal proofs that show protocols are right. Although theorem proving usually needs help from a person with the right knowledge, it gives more security by making sure everything is right using strong mathematical foundations. It is talked about what the pros and cons of each method are, taking things like scale, automation, and expression into account. It also talks about important improvements and new tools in each method, showing how people are still working to make security protocol testing techniques more efficient and effective. The last part of the paper compares model checking and theorem proving, focusing on how they work together and how important it is to use both to make sure the security of cryptographic protocols. Also, it shows how important it is to choose the right formal methods based on the needs and features of the protocol in question.