• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea TC
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• v.44 no.11
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• pp.67-77
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• 2007

In sensor networks, it is very important to refresh communication keys of sensors in a periodic or on-demand manner. To perform a dynamic key management efficiently, sensor networks usually employ cluster architecture and each CH (Cluster Head) is responsible for key management within its cluster. In cluster-based sensor networks, CHs are likely to be targets of capture attacks, and capture of CHs threatens the survival of network significantly. In this paper, we propose a periodical key refreshment scheme which counteracts against capture of CHs. First, the proposed scheme reduces the threat caused by compromise of CHs by forcing each CH to manage a small number of sensors and changing CH role nodes periodically. Second, the proposed scheme flings attackers into confusion by involving other nodes in a key establishment between BS (Base Station) and a CH. Our numerical analyses showed that the proposed scheme is more secure than other schemes and robust against compromise of CHs.