On the Security Bootstrapping in Named Data Networking

TL;DR

This paper introduces a systematic model called Trust-domain Entity Bootstrapping (TEB) for security bootstrapping in Named Data Networking, analyzing existing protocols within this framework to enhance understanding and development.

Contribution

The paper develops the TEB model to formalize security bootstrapping in NDN and evaluates its applicability to current protocols.

Findings

TEB model effectively describes multiple bootstrapping protocols

The model highlights dependencies and steps in the bootstrapping process

Provides a foundation for designing improved security protocols

Abstract

By requiring all data packets been cryptographically authenticatable, the Named Data Networking (NDN) architecture design provides a basic building block for secured networking. This basic NDN function requires that all entities in an NDN network go through a security bootstrapping process to obtain the initial security credentials. Recent years have witnessed a number of proposed solutions for NDN security bootstrapping protocols. Built upon the existing results, in this paper we take the next step to develop a systematic model of security bootstrapping: Trust-domain Entity Bootstrapping (TEB). This model is based on the emerging concept of trust domain and describes the steps and their dependencies in the bootstrapping process. We evaluate the expressiveness and sufficiency of this model by using it to describe several current bootstrapping protocols.