A framework for secure device pairing by demonstration of physical proximity

Abstract

Ad-hoc interactions between devices over wireless networks present a security problem: the generation of shared secrets to initialize secure communication over a medium that is inherently vulnerable to various attacks. However, these scenarios can also build on physical security of spaces by using protocols in which users visibly demonstrate their presence to generate an association. As a consequence, secure device pairing has received significant attention. A plethora of schemes and protocols have been proposed, which use various forms of out-of-band exchange to form an association between two devices. These protocols and schemes have different strengths and weaknesses often in hardware requirements, strength against various attacks or usability in particula view, the problem then becomes which to choose or which is the best possible scheme in a particular scenario. This problem could be relieved by automation. We advocate that the integration of a discovery mechanism, several pairing schemes and a selection protocol into a single system is more efficient for users. In this paper, we present such a system along with its implementation details.

Secure device association for ad hoc and ubiquitous computing environments

“…So, we agree with Saxena et al [9] point of view that it should not be the user's responsibility to figure out how and which method to use for device discovery each time, instead an automatic device discovery should take place. The first attempt towards this is taken by Malkani et al [22,23]. Malkani et al have proposed a generic framework for secure device association.…”

A Generic Framework for Device Pairing in Ubiquitous Computing Environments

“…This research was sponsored/funded by University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan under Mega Project Phase-I: No.SU/PLAN/F.SCH/650 and the work presented in this paper is the extended version of the conference paper published in FIT-2010 proceedings [1].…”