Energy Considerations Regarding Transport Layer Security in Wireless IoT Devices

Abstract

Security is a key concern in the large-scale deployment of Internet-connected devices. Strong security implies processing workloads that, in resource-constrained systems, give rise to delays and energy costs. We describe a testbed and procedures for evaluating these aspects. We study an 802.11-based wireless IoT platform in widespread use and classified as "low power". We quantify the impact on energy usage of deploying Transport Layer Security in a real-world application, and show it to actually be of minor concern.