NEED FOR USING A SECURE COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL

With the rise of information that is sent through cyberspace, there is greater sensitivity by individuals to protecting their privacy. To properly address the concerns that arise from operating in this new open environment, secure communication protocols need to be implemented. Many issues that were previously irrelevant now may have considerable impact on the design of the hardware, firmware and the applications. It is worthwhile to analyze the security needs of the application first. This analysis involves the classification of risks in terms of costs. The cost can come in the form of loss of revenue, legal fees, and even damage to reputation resulting from bad publicity. For most applications, the risks can be elicited from a discussion that covers the following points.

a- Authentication.

b- Message Integrity.

c- Confidentiality.

d- Non-repudiation.

RELEVANCE Of Secure Communication Protocol

There are many potential applications for Embedded Systems and their internetworking. In general, most of these do not actually require the network used to be the Internet – it just eases using the application. When using the Internet, the end-user can access the embedded system with interface tools that are very familiar to him/her: like a web browser or email program.

Some potential applications

o At home

o Meter reading

o Sprinkler Systems

o Security / Alarm Systems

o Appliances

o Scientific

o Remote data collection

o Weather stations

o Seismic recorders

o Medical

o Patient monitoring devices

o Homecare for the elderly and disabled

o Automotive

o Fleet tracking

As Embedded Systems do not have the CPU and sufficient memory resources to handle the entire TCP / IP stack with all its variations, a careful evaluation of the different protocols and applications is required, to make a decision what is needed and what can be skipped.

Thus this seminar discusses all the important points needed for designing of safe and secure communication protocol for such low memory systems.

Introduction to Secure Communication Protocol

With the advent of remote and wireless computing and the adoption of the Internet as an
open network, there is an increasing trend towards a spur-of-the-moment connectivity where dynamic configuration becomes the standard manner of operation. Communication in these applications will involve remote, possibly unfamiliar participants with whom a conversation can be trusted only with the use of a secure communication protocols.

This covers the principles of a secure protocol such that the purpose and value of the protocol can be understood and utilized to provide the appropriate safeguards. The material contains various sub topics that helps in elaborating the technicalities involves in the designing of a secure system.
Examples of how the different aspects of the secure protocol can be implemented are cited. The remainder will cover some of the unique issues associated with implementing and maintaining a secure communication protocol.