Secure data aggregation in wireless sensor networks

In-network data aggregation is an effective method to reduce the amount of data transmitted and therefore saves energy consumption in sensor networks. However, an adversary may compromise some sensor nodes, and use them to forge false values as the aggregation result. Previous secure data aggregation schemes have tackled this problem from different angles. The goal of those algorithms is to ensure that the Base Station (BS) does not accept any forged aggregation results. Based on our survey of existing research efforts for ensuring secure data aggregation, a novel approach that uses homomorphic encryption and Message Authentication Codes (MAC) to achieve confidentiality, authentication and integrity for secure data aggregation in wireless sensor networks is proposed. Our experiments show that our proposed secure aggregation method significantly reduces computation and communication overhead.