Multicast functionality can be used to enable group communication
more efficiently than the traditional unicast networks. Like unicast
environments, multicast or group-based applications are expected to
deliver same level of service to both end users and service or
content providers. One of the problem areas concerns with provision
of secure group communication is the management of keying material,
which is primarily managed by an infrastructure, referred to as a
group key management framework (GKMF). The main function of a GKMF
is providing common cryptographic key(s) to all group members of a
multicast group communication.
While security issues pertaining to deployment of secure group
communication in fixed unicast networks are widely research, very
little consideration is given for establishing such communications
in wireless mobile environments (WMobEs). Inherent characteristics
of WMobEs such as restricted capabilities of mobile devices, as well
as mobility of group members provide further challenge for deploying
secure group communication in such environments.
Thus, this thesis concerns key management frameworks for secure
group communication in WMobEs.
There are three main parts to the work. First, we begin with an
introduction to multicast technology, including its capability to
enable group (or multicast) communication. Second, we focus the work
on one area, the management of group keying material within a GKMF,
including its main components and processes (or protocols). Third,
we propose a specification for a GKMF for secure group
communication, based on a specific wireless mobile architecture.
Finally, we conclude our work by identifying future research
directions.
The main contribution of this thesis is to design, specify and
analyze a GKMF for group communication in WMobEs
