Lightweight security solutions for IoT implementations in space

Abstract

In recent years, Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices have been gaining a foothold in space applications, due to their relatively low cost. Such devices can be used to implement a segment of the Internet of Things (IoT) in space. Nevertheless, as the cost of space missions still remains relatively high and space applications can potentially have significant effects on a global scale, these devices need to be adequately secured. However, in order to keep the competitive advantages of using COTS devices in space applications, security solutions proposed for these devices should be cost-efficient and lightweight, while remaining practical and flexible. To this end, in this work, we examine whether schemes based on physical unclonable functions, which have these characteristics, can be used in the adverse conditions of space. In particular, we show that neither ambient temperature changes nor radiation can thwart the use of intrinsic memory-based PUFs for enhancing the security of IoT devices being employed in space applications.