Multi-Layer Security Framework Using RF Fingerprinting and Lightweight Protocols in Wireless Networks

Abstract

Wireless networks used in IoT and LPWANs are increasingly vulnerable to complex security threats because of their open transmission medium, lack of physical shielding and resource-limited devices. Conventional security solutions relying upon resource-intensive cryptographic algorithms are well suited for spatially distributed and high-throughput networks but introduce performance penalties that make them unsuitable for resource-constrained IoT and LPWAN implementations. A new security framework is proposed that effectively combines physical-layer authentication through RF fingerprinting with lightweight cryptographic protocols to achieve both efficiency and robustness in wireless network communication security. RF fingerprinting takes advantage of inherent characteristics of a device’s hardware to authenticate it with no reliance on extra security tokens, establishing a defense that cannot be replicated. In addition, high-performance lightweight cryptographic protocols are deployed at the network layer, including SPECK and PRESENT, to facilitate secure end-to-end data transmission and authentication with low computational burden. Evaluation in a wireless sensor network revealed that the framework could catch nearly all impostors and consume 35% less power than standard AES implementations. These findings highlight the suitability of the developed framework as a scalable and economical security system for future generation wireless devices.