Digital Incontrovertible Multi Level Key Set Based Node Authentication Model for Malicious Node Detection for Secure Data Transmission in WSN

Abstract

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) present a paradigm that is both innovative and complex, characterized by their autonomous operation and the deployment of diminutive, resource-constrained sensor nodes. Despite the promising prospects offered by their unique features, WSNs are inherently more susceptible to security threats compared to conventional networks, primarily due to their operational environment and reliance on wireless communication. The vulnerability of nodes to physical attacks is exacerbated by the typical deployment strategies and the intrinsic limitations of radio connections. Due to the resource-scarce nature of sensor nodes, which are often situated in adversarial settings, security measures are particularly challenging to implement. These nodes are generally equipped with limited energy, computational power, and communication capabilities, imposing significant constraints on the safeguarding of WSNs without compromising network efficiency. The identification and isolation of compromised nodes are critical to prevent adversaries from disseminating false data throughout the network. However, securing networks with a flat topology poses considerable difficulties, including limited adaptability and excessive communication overheads. Traditional security methods, which typically entail substantial overhead and computational requirements, are not viable in such resource-constrained environments. Authentication emerges as a critical security measure, serving as a means to discern authentic, forged, or altered messages. This study introduces a novel Digital Incontrovertible Multi-Level Key Set based Node Authentication Model (DIMLKS-NA-MND) that leverages cryptographic principles to enhance data transmission security in WSNs. Comparative analyses demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms existing models in securing data transmissions.