SecLEACH—On the security of clustered sensor networks

Clustered sensor networks have recently been shown to increase system throughput, decrease system delay, and save energy while performing data aggregation. Whereas those with rotating cluster heads, such as LEACH (low-energy adaptive clustering hierarchy), have also advantages in terms of security, the dynamic nature of their communication makes most existing security solutions inadequate for them. In this paper, we investigate the problem of adding security to hierarchical (cluster-based) sensor networks where clusters are formed dynamically and periodically, such as LEACH. For this purpose, we show how random key predistribution, widely studied in the context of flat networks, and μTESLAμTESLA, a building block from SPINS, can be both used to secure communications in this type of network. We present our solution, and provide a detailed analysis of how different values for the various parameters in such a system impact a hierarchical network in terms of security and energy efficiency. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first that investigates security in hierarchical WSNs with dynamic cluster formation.