SecureCommunication in Mobile Ad hoc Networks

Abstract

Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET)is suffering from diverse security attacks and lack of privacy that affectits performance. In addition, the security measures applied in MANETs such as encryption and key authentication have a number of negative effects on the networks’ performance. Cryptographic operations introduce a lot of both CPU and communication overhead. Therefore, routing protocols improvement is representing a great challenge for researchers to overcome the negative effects of security measures. Clustering MANETs is a known technique to lower the routing over-head. It can also be utilized to distribute encryption keys and the authentication process. In this thesis, a new protocol called Secure Clustering and Energy Saver Protocol (SCESP) is proposed to secure communication in MANETs and decrease the consumption of batteries in mobile nodes.

SCESP is aiming to secure theMobile Ad hoc Networks from spoofing attacks via establishing an intelligent authentication mechanism in addition to decreasing the battery consumption rate to pave the way for applying more security mechanisms. This goal was achieved through developing a novel self-node clustering technique and cluster-based authentication to eliminate the key distribution overhead using smart cardswhich are consuming less energy thanthe preinstalled keys on the node itself.In addition,apriority is configured for each node to select the cluster head manually if needed.As proved, The SCESP system has succeeded to enhance the security level of MANETs and decrease the battery consumption resulted frombroadcast messages in AODV.