Key agreement in wireless networks with active adversaries

#The present application is directed to information theoretic network error correction codes for networks (e.g. wireless networks).

#The present disclosure relates to networks and methods related to the field of error correction codes which are covered in various areas such as information theory, coding theory and communication theory, with applications in computer science and telecommunication. In particular, the present disclosure presents a novel construction for error correcting codes with respect to robust distribution of secret keys when one or more subset of nodes within a network are corrupted or untrustworthy.

#According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-based network with error correction code is provided, the computer-based network configured to transmit keys secretly and securely by: encoding a key on a first single computer-based workstation, forwarding a plurality of encoded files via a plurality of computer-based workstations, and decoding the plurality of encoded files on a second single computer-based workstation using a decoding algorithm to retrieve the key.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a model for path key establishment method.

#FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart detailing the path key establishment.

#FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate examples of key pool bootstrapping.

#Embodiments of the present disclosure aim to prevent one or more corrupted or untrustworthy intermediate nodes (also referred to as relay nodes) from executing adversarial eavesdropping or corruption attacks in a network (e.g. a distributed wireless network) on key agreement processes. Key agreements are used to set up links between nodes (e.g. source, receiver and intermediate) in a network that are both secure and secret. Such aim is provided by using a method identified as path key establishment whereby a plurality of transmissions are provided over node-disjoint paths in the network to robustly and securely establish a shared key between a source node and a receiver node. In addition, key agreements can utilize another method whereby nodes may acquire some subset of keys from neighboring nodes (aka bootstrapping) in the network to minimize overhead of redundant transmissions from the source node in the network. Both the above methods are described generally in this present disclosure but are more detailed in the enclosed Annex 1, which is part of the present disclosure. Annex 2 is also being included to provide further detail pertaining to the path-key establishment method and therefore also part of the present disclosure.

#Path-Key Establishment

#As stated above, an aim for key agreement in a wireless network with active adversaries is to ensure that messages, in particular keys, sent by a source node can be transmitted to a receiver node both reliably and secretly. Path key establishment is one method which facilitates the secure and secret transmission of the message between nodes of a network.