Hop-by-hop trust evaluation algorithm for identity anonymous sensor networks

ABSTRACT

Most of the existing trust models that are proposed for wireless sensor networks are based on the assumption that the sensor nodes have unique identities. Evaluating trust in an identity anonymous resource constraint environment is an open research problem. In this work, we propose a first novel hop-by-hop trust evaluation algorithm (H-TEA) that operates in the identity anonymous wireless sensor network environment. Simulation results show that the H-TEA scheme reduces communication overhead and energy consumption of sensor nodes at the cost of increased delay in the network. That makes it suitable to use for non-time-critical applications.

Keywords:

• Anonymity
• Data quality
• Location verification
• Routing
• Sensor networks
• Time verification
• Trust evaluation

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, under grant no. (611-384-D1435). The authors, therefore, gratefully acknowledge the DSR technical and financial support.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Riaz Ahmed Shaikh

Riaz Ahmed Shaikh is an assistant professor at the Computer Science Department in the King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He obtained his PhD degree from the Computer Engineering Department of Kyung Hee University, Korea; his MS degree in IT from the National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan; and his BSc degree in Computer Engineering from the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan, in 2009, 2005 and 2003 respectively. His research interest includes privacy, security, trust management, WSNs and vehicular networks. He is a reviewer of various international journals, e.g., IEEE Transactions on Parallel & Distributed Systems, IEEE Computer Journal, Elsevier International Journal of Systems, Control & Communications, Elsevier Mathematical & Computer Modeling, Transactions on Emerging Telecommunications Technologies and many more. For more information, please visit http://sites.google.com/site/riaz289.

Email: [email protected]

Vijey Thayananthan

Vijey Thayananthan is an assistant professor at Computer Science Department in the King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He obtained his PhD degree in Engineering, Communication Systems from the University of Lancaster, UK, in 1998. Since 2000, he had been working as a research engineer and senior algorithm development engineer in Advantech Ltd, Southampton University Science Park, UK, and Amfax Ltd, UK respectively. His research interest includes wireless networks, security, information theory and coding. He is a reviewer of various international journals, e.g., Journal of Fundamentals of Renewable Energy and Applications, Mobile Networks and Applications and Springer book chapters. He is a member of the IET.

Email: [email protected].