Wireless Sensor Networks, Security Requirements, Attacks, Security Mechanisms.

International Journal of Computer Science & Information Technology (IJCSIT) Vol 14, No 3, June 2022
DOI: 10.5121/ijcsit.2022.14305 55
SECURITY IN WIRELESS SENSOR
NETWORKS: COMPARATIVE STUDY
Fatimah Khalil Aljwari, Hajer Abdullah Alwadei and Aseel Abdullah Alfaidi
Advanced Computer Network, Jeddah University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
The security in wireless sensor networks (WSNS) is a very important issue. These networks may be exposed
it different attacks. With this in mind, researchers propose in this area variety of security techniques for
this purpose, and this article describes security in wireless sensor networks. Discussed threats and attacks
of wireless sensor networks. The article also aims to provide the basic information related to determining
essential requirements for the protection WSNs. Lastly, we mention some security mechanisms against
these threats and attacks in Wireless Sensor Network.
KEYWORDS
Wireless Sensor Networks, Security Requirements, Attacks, Security Mechanisms.
1. INTRODUCTION
A wireless sensor network is the most important emerging technology trend in the coming years
because sensing technologies and processing power, and wireless communication make it
beneficial for use in the soon future. wireless sensor setworks (WSNs) are used to collect data
from the physical environment; wireless sensor networks can work in any environment other than
conventional networks, especially if they are not wired connections in that environments [1].
The sensor nodes used in WSNs deploy efficiently more than the conventional wired sensor
network; the sensor nodes consist of several components such as sensing, data processing, and
wireless communication technology, which monitor the environment without connection with the
wired network. Therefore, WSNs more advantages than the conventional wired sensor network
[2].
Security is quite a challenging issue in WSNs. It is used in many practical applications, in
military applications, disaster management in remote areas, traffic monitoring, and monitoring
intelligent houses and cities. The WSNs can be prone to different security threats and attacks or
hackers to disrupt the entire network. From challenges and Issues face in WSN today is security.
Therefore, security for WSNs becomes most important. This paper's purpose and requirements
security in WSNs then mention some of the security mechanisms used to handle those security
issues in WSNs.
2. BACKGROUND
In this section, we will cover in general the concept of both Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs),
attack, security and provide some of the prominent areas of applications of WSNs.

56
2.1. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs)
Wireless Sensor Networks are self-configured and infrastructure-free wireless networks that track
physical or environmental conditions such as temperature, sound, vibration, friction, motion, or
pollutants and cooperatively transfer their data through the network to a central position or sink
where it can be viewed and analyzed. Sensing and computing instruments, radio transceivers, and
control components are all used in a wireless sensor node. A wireless sensor network's individual
node is resource restricted by design: they have minimal processing power, storage space, and
connectivity bandwidth. The sensor nodes can operate in either a continuous or event-driven
mode. The architecture of a WSN is shown in Fig.1. The WSN uses a gateway known as a sink to
connect a wired network and the distributed wireless sensors. The sensors collect the data sent to
the gateway, which sends it to the user through a network or internet.
Figure 1. Architecture of WSNs
2.2. Attack
Attacks are the techniques that attackers use to find and exploit program flaws. An attack can
attempt to gain unauthorized access to a service or information. These WSNs are subject to
numerous attacks. Because the nodes can be in a dangerous environment. once a node has been
hacked, the attacker can steal the node's key materials. On these networks, there are various
attacks that can be categorized as routing attacks, data traffic attacks and on various points of
view can be outsider vs insider, passive vs active, node capture attack and attacks on layers.
2.3. Security
One of the difficulties of WSNs is meeting high-security standards when working with limited
capital. Node protection, user confidentiality, anti-compromise, and resilience against traffic
manipulation are all security standards in WSNs. The implementation sensors must pass a node
authentication review by their respective manager nodes or cluster heads to distinguish both
trustworthy and incompetent nodes from a security standpoint, and unauthorized nodes may be
separated from WSNs during the node authentication process. Similarly, all packets sent between
a sensor and the manager node must be kept secret to prevent eavesdroppers from intercepting,
modifying, and analyzing WSN data and discovering sensitive information.

57
2.4. Application of WSNs
The potential applications of WSNs to any field in the world are virtually limitless, ranging from
environmental monitoring and control to medical and healthcare systems, as well as other areas
such as positioning and tracking, localization, and logistics. It is important to stress that the
advantages and applications influence the preference of wireless machinery to be used. If the
application's specifications have been established, network designers must pick and choose the
machinery that will enable these requirements to be met. WSNs have received a lot of acclaim for
their versatility in addressing problems in many application areas, and they have what it takes to
transform the environment in a variety of respects, such as military applications, applications in
area monitoring, transportation applications, medical/health applications, environmental
applications, structural applications, industrial applications, and agricultural applications.
2.4.1. Security requirement of wireless sensor network:
The objective of security services in WSNs is to protect and preserve the information and
resources from attacks and manipulation. In this section, we discuss different types of security
requirements for wireless sensor networks.
Yan-Xiao Li et al. (2010) mentioned the security services in WSNs are usually centered around
cryptography. Security requirements in WSNs include (availability, authorization, authentication,
confidentiality, integrity, nonrepudiation). and they suggested it should also be considered to (1)
forward secrecy it is sensor should not be able to read any future messages after it leaves the
network. (2) backward secrecy, it is joining sensor should not be able to read any previously
transmitted message [3].
Muazzam A. Khan et al. (2011) explained the requirements by considering the importance. In
each of the (data integrity, confidentiality, and data freshness). Also mentioned, any compromise
on these requirements could cause huge destruction in the network. Other than what was said
(Yan-Xiao Li et al.), two new requirements were added it is. (1) Flexibility it is external
conditions as well as demands of the user changes rapidly example in emergency scenarios and
battlefield. So according to the nature of mission or changing conditions the sensor nodes may
have flexibility to adopt these changes. (2) Secure localization it is accurate location of a sensor
node is very important for data or warding as well as trust management[4].
Discussed Mahsa Teymourzadeh et al. (2013) [2].The requirements and how would the attacker
have worked If the requirement is not present in WSNs and confidentiality is a fundamental
security service.
Compared to what others have said, Vikash Kumar et al. (2014) security goals are classified as
primary and secondary. The primary goals are known as standard security goals such as
confidentiality, integrity, authentication, and availability. The secondary goals are data freshness,
self-organization, time synchronization and secure localization. finally, vikash kumar et al.
(2014). add new requirement secure localization from secondary goals. and explain most sensor
network applications rely on some form of time synchronization [1].
We summarize the security requirements in Fig.2 that have been put forward by the researchers
and we emphasize the importance of requirements for the WSNs.
● Confidentiality: Is a fundamental security service Commonly, is required in sensor
networks to protect information traveling between the sensor nodes of the network or
between the sensors and the base station.

58
● Integrity: Data integrity is very significant in such networks, mostly used for security
purposes. That further guarantee the message sent from one node to another is not
modified by malicious intermediate nodes.
● Availability: This ensures that the required network services are accessible even in the
presence of attacks. The most harmful danger to network availability is a denial of
service [2].
● Data Freshness: It means that the information is recent and ensures that no opponent can
replay old messages.
● Self-Organization: The harm resulting from an attack or even the risky environment can
be devastating if sensor network lacking self -organization.
Figure 2. Security Requirements
2.4.2. Related word:
This section provides a review of some works on security in wireless sensor networks. It covers
different papers from all aspects that relate to threats in WSNs and security solutions for that.
Clarified Kumar et al. [1]challenges and issues in sensor networks. As they mentioned, ad-hoc
wireless sensor networks pose major challenges when it comes to developing protection chimes.
Also, proposed some security solutions to protect the WSN from this threat. Presented also
Mahsa Teymourzadeh et al. [2]issues and challenges in WSNs, but from different perspectives
examined the state of the art in analyzing network and sensor security, and discusses some
potential future research directions.
Discussed Rani and Kumar [5] survey about security in wireless sensor networks in 2017. And
mentioned WSNs are vulnerable to several threats if they are not adequately protected. Various
aspects of security have been examined, including cryptography, key management, and stable
routing protocols to improves and enhances the security mechanism in the WSNs. According to
Yan-Xiao Li et al. [3]components without security can easily be exploited and they become
vulnerable to attacks, Incorporate security into every part to pervade security and privacy into
every element of the design. And mentioned each of the security solutions may be used to help
secure a WSN.
Muawia A. Elsadig [6]et al discussed Security in WSNs is challenging and critical to the
functionality of this type of network. Therefore, a combining effort to represent a common model
that takes into consideration the security issues concerning each layer still a challenge.
Cryptography is an adequate security solution for many scenarios of WSNs but still needs more

59
enhancements to reduce the overheads to an acceptable rate that fit WSNs particularities and
constraints. Moreover, introduced Modares et al. [7].The challenges in WSN include routing,
QoS provisioning, energy efficiency, stability, and multicasting. Since security is a mechanism
rather than a product, the developer of the system can keep up with the latest trends in embedded
system attacks. Important devices' protection should be re-evaluated on a daily basis to prepare
for new detections. The application's level of protection is needed.
Muazzam A. Khan et al [4].Discussed security requirements for wireless sensor networks, and
sensor that works without a battery Since networks have inherent limits, they said physical
protection is required in addition to communications security. and in this kind of network, the
most frequent attack is for a node to compromise and accept tempered data before forwarding it
onward. As a result, cryptography alone is insufficient to keep such networks stable. It may be
possible for sensor nodes to authenticate and encrypt data. David Martins et al [8]. Clarified
science strategies to fight attacks in wireless sensor networks have been suggested, but they do
not resolve all attacks. and Sensors' low processing capacity and, more significantly, their limited
energy are impediments to the introduction of advanced techniques, and we are still looking for
solutions that can handle security, while still combining lifetime and sensor latency.
Anuj Kumar and Patro [9]explained in their paper WSNs have two significant security aspects.
The first is a taxonomy of WSN security specifications, followed by a taxonomy of WSN attacks.
They also gave a snapshot of possible countermeasures to various WSN attacks. Kalpana Sharma
et al [10]mentioned in their paper both vulnerability attacks, such as the hello flood attack,
wormhole attack, sybil attack, and sinkhole attack, have the same goal in mind: to breach the
network's credibility. They concentrated on the security risks in WSN in their report. They
summarized the challenges to WSNs that impact various levels, as well as their defensive
mechanisms.
3. ATTACKS IN WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORKS
The attacks pose a major threat to the security of wireless sensor networks where they destabilize
the security. The network layers are divided in to: physical layer, data link layer, network layer,
and transport layer. Each layer is vulnerable to different types of attacks. Here comes the role of
security attacks so that the interaction between layers can be exploited. In this section, we make a
list of the latest attacks on wireless sensor networks.
Yan-Xiao Li et al. in (2010) suggest attacks in sensor networks can be classified into the
following categories mote-class versus laptop-class attacks, outsider versus insider attacks and
passive versus active attacks. finally, mentioned classify according to the security requirements in
WSNs such as attacks on secrecy and authentication, attacks on network availability and stealthy
attacks against service integrity [3].Discuss also, Khan et al. in (2011), different types of attacks
and their affects in WSN. And the comparison between active attacks is easily identifiable and
passive attacks are more dangerous as compared to active attacks because in passive attacks you
are unable to recognize your attacker [4].
Mahsa et al. (2013) explain to us there are many reasons for importance of security in WSN of
which, exist the nodes are in a dangerous or hazardous setting. Their physical protection is
jeopardized in this environment. WSNs could be more vulnerable to denial-of-service attacks
Also, many kinds of DoS attacks in various layers in wireless sensor networks [2]. Mentioned
Vikash et al. (2014) about wireless sensor networks it will be vulnerable to attacks because of the
due to the broadcast nature of the transmission medium. Identify two categories is active attacks
and passive attacks [1].

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According to Aditi &Sanjeet (2017), WSNs are vulnerable to several attacks. Attacks in WSNs
can be categorized on the basis of different layers physical layer, link layer, network layer, and
transport layer. Mentioned some attacks such as selective forwarding (SF), sinkhole, sybil,
acknowledgment spoofing (AS), and collision [5]. According to singh & Patro (2019), WSNs
work in harsh and hostile areas it is vulnerable to different threats and attacks, and the attacks
section on WSNs in five categories based on, layers, authentication, privacy [9]. Elsadig et al.
Focused (2019) on mentioning two subsections to two types of WSN attack as layered-based
classification and the internalexternal classification [6].The attacks be classified in terms of:
 Active attacks are when data flow into the communication channel is tracked, listened
to, and updated by unauthorized attackers, and passive are attacks transmission of
information or data files to an attacker without the user's permission or awareness,
 In an external attack, an additional sensor node is installed in the WSN to be targeted.
This remote node lacks access to the WSN's security parameters and cryptographic keys.
In an internal attack, the security of an internal sensor node is breached in order to
undermine the network's security. In Fig.3, shows the classification for most of the
attacks.
Figure 3. Active / passive attacks and external / internal attacks

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Wireless sensor networks are layered in organized. Because of their architecture, these networks
are vulnerable to a variety of attacks. It is one of the classifications for attacks, layer-based
classification [5][9]. Based on the Fig.4, when compared layers, the number of network layer
attacks is obviously the most prevalent followed by data link layer and physical layer finally
application and transport in approximately same number attacks.
Figure 4. network layer attacks
4. SECURITY MECHANISMS IN WSNS
To counter these attacks that threaten wireless sensor networks. We have to find simple solutions
that allow securing the network. These solutions are to prevent and detect different security
attacks in wireless sensor networks. In this section, we discuss a list of solutions.
David Martins &Hervé Guyennet (2010) discuss a list from the mechanisms. And they mentioned
we must simple solutions that enable us to secure the network while using as little energy as
possible. such as the data partitioning, cryptography, trust management and steganography [8].
Kalpana Sharma &Ghose (2010) mentioned to other methods to defense some threats in WSNs.
And summarized of defense mechanisms. DOS prevention can use priority messages, and
encryption. Selective Forwarding attack prevention can use routing dawwsen proactive and
detection by signal strength. Identity certificates can defense Sybil attack [10] .
Aditi &Sanjeet (2017) ,WSNs play an important role in providing protection at the nodal and
network levels. Explained of the various security aspects like cryptography, secure routing
protocols. Mentioned by considering at node level is used cryptography and network levels is
used Secure Routing Protocol and Key management [5].Vikash Kumar (2014) mentioned to
counter malicious attacks, a wide range of protection schemes can be devised, and these can be
classified as high-level and low-level as secure routing , key establishment and trust Setup and
secrecy and authentication[1].
We explain some of the security mechanisms that have been suggested by researchers, and we
want to emphasize in our view, Its importance for WSNs.

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4.1. Data Partitioning
One of the solutions to prevent information capture in wireless sensor networks by data
partitioning. The aim is to divide the information into several parts. If a sensor tries to send
information, it cuts the data into several packets of fixed size. Each packet is sent on a different
route from another route. And Packets pass in different nodes. Packets are eventually received,
which could then bring packets together to reproduce information. An attacker has to catch all
packets of a message if it wants to know the information. And To do it, it has to be able to listen
to the entire network. It is more complicated for an attacker to have the information, but this
solution increases energy consumption and needs to use many nodes more essential to
communicate.
4.1.1. Key management
For solutions of key management, we find four types that can be used in security mechanisms
against attacks:
Table 1. Key management types in security mechanisms
4.2. Trust management
Another solution is to use trust and reputation mechanisms that Exist in peer-to-peer networks,
community networks, or even market websites like eBay. In this kind of network, as in wireless
sensor networks, it is hard, because of the large number of nodes, to know which node can be a
malicious node. To detect and protect the network's integrity, each node of the network monitors
Key Type Definition Role in security
Global key
The entire network shares one key the sender sends
a message and information encrypted with this key.
Once it receives the message, it can be decrypted
with the same key.
The solution with limited security
because: If an attacker could find the key,
he can hear the entire network that
communicates with this unique key, then
to know this key allows the possibility to
insert a malicious node in the network.
Pair-wise key
node
Each node has a different key to communicate with
a neighboring node that shares this key. a node that
sends a message must encrypt the message with a
key neighbor who receives the information. The
neighboring decrypts information to re-encrypt with
the key corresponding to the following receiver.
This solution increases the network's
security because if an attacker discovers a
key, this key can communicate with two
nodes. The attacker has to find all pair-
wise keys to listen to the entire network
Pair-wise key
group
Each group or cluster has a key to communicating
between nodes in the cluster. Cluster-heads use a
single key for all cluster-heads to communicate
between two cluster heads.
The solution increases the work of cluster
heads, which have to decrypt and encrypt
the information.
Individual
key
Each node has its own key to encrypt data. The sink
only knows this key. the message sent by this node
goes around hidden on the network until it reaches
the sink.
This solution secures only communication
between a node and the sink.

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its neighboring nodes and their actions over time. Depending on its neighboring nodes' actions, a
node will increase these nodes' trust based on its reputation. When a node does not carry out a
request, its level of trust falls. If this node always sends correct data, its level of trust increases.
With these levels of trust, a node will then choose the most secure route for sending data. Instead
of going through the fastest path (geographical distance), the node will transmit its data via nodes
with the highest trust level (the safest route). These techniques make it possible to eliminate
potentially dangerous nodes and protect data from going through these nodes. Solutions based on
trust management are energy efficient.
Many different classification methods have been used in literature. In this paper we collect the
attacks and classify each attack according to what was mentioned in terms of classification types
on different perspectives [3] [4] [2] [1] [5][9][6]. Several studies are being conducted in order to
find suitable solutions to attacks wireless sensor networks. We identify defenses for all attacks
and according to what was mentioned in [8][10][5][4]. We explain in the table 2.

64
Table 2. WSNs Attacks Classification & Defense mechanisms.
Attacks Definition
Layer-based
Classification
Internal/Ext
ernal
Classificatio
n
active
/passive
Classifi
cation
Defenses
Collision
There is this type in the link layer when
two nodes try to transmit at the same
time on the same frequency where there
is a collision due to the collision of the
packets with each other
Data Link
layer
Internal passive
Error-correcting
code[9]
Wormhole
is a serious attack, an attacker records
packets at one location in the network
and tunnels them to another location.
This attack needs to insert in the
network at least two [Short Survey].
Network
Layer
Internal passive
An efficient
monitoring
system[3].
Hello flood
An adversary node broadcasts hello
packets with high transmission capacity,
allowing the majority of the network's
nodes to choose it as the cluster head.
Network
Layer
Internal
/External
Active
Suspicious node
detection by signal
strength[10].
Node
replication
In this attack, the attacker creates a new
sensor node in the network by copying
an existing sensor node's node ID.
Network
Layer
External Active
Line selected
multicast[4]
Selective
Forwarding
(SF)
It is the attacker creating a corrupt node
in the network so that it can intentionally
drop some important messages while
forwarding only a few of them
Network
Layer
Internal Active
Multipath
routing[5]
Sinkhole
In this type, the attacker is keen to make
the defected node be very attractive
compared to the rest, in order to be able
to reach his goal, which is for the
surrounding nodes to send data to that
defected node
Network
Layer
Internal Active
Geographic routing
protocols[10]
Sybil
It is also known as clone attack, In this
type, attackers rely on placing copies of
each node in order to be able to leak data
or be able to place false data
Network
Layer
Internal Active
utilize identity
certificates[10]
Acknowledgm
ent spoofing
(AS)
Attacking nodes that provide false
information to other nodes, such as
claiming that a dead node is still alive
but actually dead
Data Link
Layer
Internal
/External
Passive
ِAuthentication
mechanism[5]
Eavesdroppin
g
Is the attacker listening to listen the
network to intercept information on the
network so that he can steal it when sent
without encryption. This attack is
difficult to detect because there is no
modification to the data, so it is difficult
to detect
physical layer External passive
Encryption of data
and messages[9]
Radio jammer
The attacker uses radio waves to disturb
the communication between the nodes
by sending the waves to the same
frequency so that they cannot
communicate
physical layer External passive
Spread spectrum,
priority
messages[10].
Denial of
Service
In a conventional network, this is an
intentional intrusion like denial of
service. The assault disrupts the wireless
sensor network, and the influx of data
causes sensors to run, wasting their
resources.
Physical
layers
Internal
/External
Active
payment for
network resources,
Priority messages,
monitoring,
authorization,
encryption[10]
Flooding
Flooding occurs when an attacker
attacks a source node in such a way that
it receives a large number of requests
frequently and its memory becomes
complete.
Transport
Layer
Internal Passive
Strong
authentication
mechanism[9]

65
5. CONCLUSION
Wireless sensor networks have become more commonly used as a result of recent technical
developments. It is, however, also vulnerable to a variety of attacks, for example like sinkhole,
Sybil, selective forwarding. They are used for many important applications. As a result, the
protection of WSNs is a major concern for researchers. In this paper we discussed security
requirement for wireless sensor networks. We mentioned various security threats and potential
attacks as well as current security methods suggested by various studies.
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