Dynamic key refreshment for smart grid mesh network security

This paper presents a dynamically updating key distribution strategy to enhance mesh network security against cyber attacks. The scheme has been applied to two security protocols known as Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) and Efficient Mesh Security Association (EMSA). The former is based on a password-authenticated key exchange and the latter relies on mesh key holders through the use of a mesh key hierarchy. Since both SAE and EMSA protocols utilize 4-way handshaking, the resiliency of the network in a situation where an intruder carries a denial of service attack has been evaluated. This includes the effect of the proposed dynamic key refreshment strategy on the network delay and overhead performance.