Introduction

Abstract

The sensor cloud [19] is a new paradigm of computing for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs). It integrates multiple wireless sensor networks to share resources in a layered architecture and provide on-demand sensing as a service to different users at the same time. It decouples the users and the providers (owners) of sensing as a service in a sensor cloud network. The sensor cloud lowers the barrier of use of WSNs and makes it easier for users to create, deploy, and use sensing applications on-demand with embedded sensors and enables cross-compatibility of WSNs that use different platforms and technologies. Many different applications, such as environmental monitoring, disaster management, battlefield monitoring, and cyber-physical applications, can use sensor cloud infrastructure. In many of these applications, an integral part of building a successful WSN application is security. Although a sensor cloud makes it easier to deploy applications over multiple WSNs, it introduces new security challenges due to user-centric on-demand services. In this introductory chapter, we will discuss the security challenges that need to be tackled in order to build a secure sensor cloud infrastructure. We will start by taking a look at the wireless sensing devices and WSNs before discussing the concept of a sensor cloud in detail. We will then provide the aforementioned security challenges in building a sensor cloud and finally discuss four specific challenges that are integral to building a secure sensor cloud.