Implementing Trusted Vehicular Communications

The main software modules included in the overall package are currently: (1) the encap and decap modules, realized as applications running in the background, (2) front-ends in different programming languages for easy integration into an existing application, and (3) a command line tool for generating valid certificates and keys for a node, called ca- tool (certification authority). Using the current status of the software, we already demonstrated simple scenarios for secure vehicular communications, where security is integrated, for example, into an emergency vehicle application. The modularity and the portability of the existing software makes it unique as a tool for fostering future research concerning secure VC. Results of future research issues, like secure integration into existing applications, the use of cryptographic and tamper proof hardware, the methods for proper identity management and their handling in a future system can easily be tested and integrated into existing applications using the trusted communications testbed software. This in turn will support the use of security in field tests and will make it possible to concentrate on the real problems there. The software is licensed under the GPL and can be obtained upon request.