Secured and Versatile IoT Connectivity: A Novel LoRa-Based Approach with Enhanced Encryption, Key Exchange, Real-Time Data Visualization, and Dynamic Storage Integration

This research ventures into uncharted territory considering the growing need for secure and effective long-range communication resulting from the rise of Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications. By incorporating the recently approved National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) ASCON cryptographic standard and the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256, this project enhances the security of IoT networks within a cost-effective framework. To this end, Long Range (LoRa) technology, a low-power wide-area network protocol, serves as the primary communication technology. The experiment involves two transmitters, each equipped with different environmental sensors, communicating via LoRa technology. The security model employed is two-fold: It relies on the ASCON and AES-256 standards to ensure robust data encryption. Alongside these, the Elliptic Curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) protocol is implemented for secure key exchange. A unique three-fold data visualization strategy is introduced, encompassing real-time updates on a locally hosted webpage, local storage in the ESP32 in a CSV file format, and secure cloud storage on the Adafruit IO platform. Using parameters like signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), latency, power consumption, and memory consumptions, performance comparisons with networks that only use AES encryption show that the system that uses the ASCON standards performs better than AES-256. This groundbreaking application of ASCON and AES-256 in LoRa communication establishes a remarkable precedent. Not only does it emphasize affordability, but it also enhances security, a vital factor in developing reliable future IoT applications. In summary, this thesis contributes a practical approach to integrating cryptographic standards within IoT networks, offering a novel perspective for ensuring secure, long-range communication within IoT system.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2023

Author dc:creator

• Nooruddin, Mohammad

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Valles, Damian
• Haque, Ariful

Committee member dc:contributor.committeemember

• Droopad, Ravindranath

• IoT
• LoRa
• security
• encryption
• authentication
• costs
• key exchanges
• cloud
• performance

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/20230

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/20230