Security Requirements in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Abstract: The performance evaluation have their place in wireless network research, the current and future applications of the ad hoc networks have forced the research community to look at dependability and security aspects as eavesdropping and jamming. Security is a basic and paramount requirement for an ad hoc network because of its intrinsic vulnerabilities in order for users to perform protected peer-to-peer communication over multi-hop wireless channel. Depending on the application context, a user may desire various security services such as authentication, integrity, non-repudiation. Confidentiality, Key and Trust Management, and access control. Unlike wired networks that have dedicated routers, MANET has infrastructure-free network where the MNs themselves perform basic network function as a router and packet forwarding. Therefore, security in MANETs is a pressing issue, which needs immediate research attention.

Keywords: MANET, Security, Authentication, Integrity, Non-repudiation, Confidentiality, Key and Trust Management, and Access Control.