A Provably Secure and Lightweight Two-Factor Authentication Protocol for Wireless Sensor Network

Abstract

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) are rapidly being integrated into various fields, significantly impacting and facilitating many aspects of human life. However, the increasingly prominent security issues associated with WSNs have become a significant challenge. This paper provides an in-depth analysis of the security challenges faced by WSNs in resource constrained and open communication environments. As a key component of the Internet of Things (IoT), a WSN can perceive, collect and transmit physical environmental data in real-time, and is widely used in military, medical, agricultural and other fields. However, the insecurity of communication channels and unauthorized user access pose severe threats to network security and data integrity. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a provably secure two-factor authentication protocol. This protocol utilizes a Chebyshev chaotic map and a two-factor authentication mechanism, which not only enhances security in WSNs but also improves authentication efficiency. The protocol is validated through security proof and performance experiments, demonstrating excellent security, functionality and efficiency. This provides strong support for secure and efficient communication in WSNs across various application scenarios.