Secure Routing in Airborne Networks

The envisioned Airbone Network (AN) is expected to provide seamless connectivity for operators in a large number of applications. All these applications require proper routing security support to establish correct route between communicating platforms in a timely manner. The truth is that not all AN protocols have built-in security, and these protocols are highly vulnerable to various security threats due to the inherent characteristics of ANs. In this proposal, Intelligent Automation, Inc. (IAI), in collaboration with Prof. Jing Deng at the University of New Orleans proposes an integrated Secure Routing scheme for Airborne Networks (SRAN) in order to provide various security characteristics, such as authentication, confidentiality, integrity and non-repudiation. The proposed SRAN approach exploits existing technologies and makes them more applicable to the dynamic ANs. First, we formulate a two-level routing security mechanism performed at airborne backbone and edge network layer respectively. In both layers, network dynamics are addressed. Second, a set of security mechanisms previously designed for mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) and stable network (Internet) are extended to the domain of ANs, as we believe the AN shares some similarities with each of them. In particular, several mechanisms to reduce computational and communication overhead are specifically designed.