Context-based access control for ridesharing service

The paper describes a context-based access control model for a ridesharing service. Ridesharing is a shared use of a car by the driver and one or more passengers for a joint trip. The service is based on the smart space concept. For this purpose the Smart-M3 platform is used. Currently the Smart-M3 platform doesn't have an appropriate access control mechanism meeting the following requirements: supporting a flexible, descriptive and well-defined policy language and taking into consideration the context information. Therefore, the usage of the context-based access control model has been proposed. This model is built as a combination of the role-based and attribute-based access control models. It uses roles, which are assigned dynamically based on the user's context, and meets the requirements to the access control in the smart space. An analysis of information transfer through the ridesharing service modules is used for defining the user's context. The model has been implemented within an access control broker, which controls the access to the smart space resources

Context-aware access control model for Smart-M3 platform

One of the main security problems of Smart-M3 platform is a lack of dynamic security management support. In particular, a new access control model for resource sharing is needed. The access control model should describe the current situation via a context. The paper proposes a model of the context-based access control for the information shared in a smart space based on the Smart-M3 platform. Micro virtualization mechanisms represented by virtual private smart spaces are the basis for the model, which is built on the combination of the role-based and attribute-based access control models. Roles are assigned dynamically based on the smart space participant's trust level. The role separation allows simplifying policies and makes them human-readable and easy to configure. The trust level calculation is based on the participant's context, which includes identification attributes; location; current date; device type, etc. Also, three kinds of security policy rules have been proposed. These rules are used to calculate the trust level, to assign roles based on the trust level, and to grant permissions to the smart space resources

Privacy, security, and trust issues in smart environments

Recent advances in networking, handheld computing and sensor technologies have driven forward research towards the realisation of Mark Weiser's dream of calm and ubiquitous computing (variously called pervasive computing, ambient computing, active spaces, the disappearing computer or context-aware computing). In turn, this has led to the emergence of smart environments as one significant facet of research in this domain. A smart environment, or space, is a region of the real world that is extensively equipped with sensors, actuators and computing components [1]. In effect the smart space becomes a part of a larger information system: with all actions within the space potentially affecting the underlying computer applications, which may themselves affect the space through the actuators. Such smart environments have tremendous potential within many application areas to improve the utility of a space. Consider the potential offered by a smart environment that prolongs the time an elderly or infirm person can live an independent life or the potential offered by a smart environment that supports vicarious learning

Smart Signs: Showing the way in Smart Surroundings

This paper presents a context-aware guidance and messaging system for large buildings and surrounding venues. Smart Signs are a new type of electronic door- and way-sign based on wireless sensor networks. Smart Signs present in-situ personalized guidance and messages, are ubiquitous, and easy to understand. They combine the easiness of use of traditional static signs with the flexibility and reactiveness of navigation systems. The Smart Signs system uses context information such as user’s mobility limitations, the weather, and possible emergency situations to improve guidance and messaging. Minimal infrastructure requirements and a simple deployment tool make it feasible to easily deploy a Smart Signs system on demand. An important design issue of the Smart Signs system is privacy: the system secures communication links, does not track users, allow almost complete anonymous use, and prevent the system to be used as a tool for spying on users

The simplicity project: easing the burden of using complex and heterogeneous ICT devices and services

As of today, to exploit the variety of different "services", users need to configure each of their devices by using different procedures and need to explicitly select among heterogeneous access technologies and protocols. In addition to that, users are authenticated and charged by different means. The lack of implicit human computer interaction, context-awareness and standardisation places an enormous burden of complexity on the shoulders of the final users. The IST-Simplicity project aims at leveraging such problems by: i) automatically creating and customizing a user communication space; ii) adapting services to user terminal characteristics and to users preferences; iii) orchestrating network capabilities. The aim of this paper is to present the technical framework of the IST-Simplicity project. This paper is a thorough analysis and qualitative evaluation of the different technologies, standards and works presented in the literature related to the Simplicity system to be developed

Architectural implications for context adaptive smart spaces

Buildings and spaces are complex entities containing complex social structures and interactions. A smart space is a composite of the users that inhabit it, the IT infrastructure that supports it, and the sensors and appliances that service it. Rather than separating the IT from the buildings and from the appliances that inhabit them and treating them as separate systems, pervasive computing combines them and allows them to interact. We outline a reactive context architecture that supports this vision of integrated smart spaces and explore some implications for building large-scale pervasive systems