A key management framework for secure group communication in wireless mobile environment

摘要

Multicast functionality can be used to enable group communicationmore efficiently than the traditional unicast networks. Like unicastenvironments, multicast or group-based applications are expected todeliver same level of service to both end users and service orcontent providers. One of the problem areas concerns with provisionof secure group communication is the management of keying material,which is primarily managed by an infrastructure, referred to as agroup key management framework (GKMF). The main function of a GKMFis providing common cryptographic key(s) to all group members of amulticast group communication.While security issues pertaining to deployment of secure groupcommunication in fixed unicast networks are widely research, verylittle consideration is given for establishing such communicationsin wireless mobile environments (WMobEs). Inherent characteristicsof WMobEs such as restricted capabilities of mobile devices, as wellas mobility of group members provide further challenge for deployingsecure group communication in such environments.Thus, this thesis concerns key management frameworks for securegroup communication in WMobEs.There are three main parts to the work. First, we begin with anintroduction to multicast technology, including its capability toenable group (or multicast) communication. Second, we focus the workon one area, the management of group keying material within a GKMF,including its main components and processes (or protocols). Third,we propose a specification for a GKMF for secure groupcommunication, based on a specific wireless mobile architecture.Finally, we conclude our work by identifying future researchdirections.The main contribution of this thesis is to design, specify andanalyze a GKMF for group communication in WMobEs.