Data Confidentiality in Mobile Ad hoc Networks

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel framework that enhances data privacy and confidentiality in mobile ad hoc networks by attaching originator policies to messages and enforcing them at each node, evaluated through NS-2 simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a new policy-based framework for securing data in MANETs by attaching and enforcing originator policies at each node, improving privacy.

Findings

Framework effectively enforces policies at each node

Simulation results show improved data confidentiality

Policy enforcement points successfully manage privacy policies

Abstract

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are self-configuring infrastructure-less networks comprised of mobile nodes that communicate over wireless links without any central control on a peer-to-peer basis. These individual nodes act as routers to forward both their own data and also their neighbours' data by sending and receiving packets to and from other nodes in the network. The relatively easy configuration and the quick deployment make ad hoc networks suitable the emergency situations (such as human or natural disasters) and for military units in enemy territory. Securing data dissemination between these nodes in such networks, however, is a very challenging task. Exposing such information to anyone else other than the intended nodes could cause a privacy and confidentiality breach, particularly in military scenarios. In this paper we present a novel framework to enhance the privacy and data confidentiality in mobile ad hoc networks by attaching the originator policies to the messages as they are sent between nodes. We evaluate our framework using the Network Simulator (NS-2) to check whether the privacy and confidentiality of the originator are met. For this we implemented the Policy Enforcement Points (PEPs), as NS-2 agents that manage and enforce the policies attached to packets at every node in the MANET.