Securing Ad Hoc Networks with "Asymmetric" Probabilistic Key Predistribution Schemes

Abstract

We present two "asymmetric" probabilistic key predistribution schemes to cater for mutual authentication and broadcast authentication respectively. The schemes however employ only symmetric cryptographic primitives - the asymmetry is due to the use of different secrets for encryption/authentication and decryption/verification, which are however related through a one-way function. Both schemes try to take advantage of an abundant and inexpensive resource, storage, to improve their security. While both schemes can have a wide range of applications, we limit ourselves to their utility in securing multi-hop ad hoc networks