Polynomial and matrix based key management security scheme in wireless sensor networks

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) due to its constrained resources and wide application in different fields like in military area and battlefield has brought the focus on the implementation of security in network. In this paper a key management scheme is suggested for heterogeneous and hierarchical WSN to provide improved secure key distribution and authentication between base station, cluster head and sensor node while maintaining less complexity. The scheme uses the multivariate symmetric polynomial and matrices for the generation of keys in WSN and is called Hybrid Key Management Security scheme (HKMSS). In this scheme between base station and head, multivariate symmetric polynomial is used while between head to cluster node symmetric matrix is used for key generation which reduces the overhead at the node as it is resource constrained. The matrix mechanism for establishing secret key between head and nodes ensure secure communication between head and node. The proposed scheme has reduced computational and storage overhead with improved security, network lifetime and network connectivity.