Secure and continuous management of heterogeneous ad hoc networks

Addition of new nodes to a sensor network is a fundamental requirement for their continuity operation over time. We analyze the weakening of security due to node capture when adding sensor nodes using key predistribution schemes with "fixed" key pools. We have also developed an approach, which provides a significant improvement in security after multiple deployments through the use of multiple key pools, strong nodes and actors. These strong nodes are used as bridges between nodes of various deployments. To achieve better connectivity we use nodes of varying capabilities with the connectivity being a function of the quality of nodes available. We also explore the role that can be played by actors in enhancing connectivity.