Security for correlated sources across wiretap network
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Date
2016-03-17
Authors
Balmahoon, Reevana
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Abstract
This thesis presents research conducted for the security aspects of correlated sources
across a wiretap network. Correlated sources are present in communication systems
where protocols ensure that there is some predetermined information for sources to
transmit. Systems that contain correlated sources are for example broadcast channels,
smart grid systems, wireless sensor networks and social media networks. In these systems
there exist common information between the nodes in a network, which gives rise to
security risks as common information can be determined about more than one source.
In this work the security aspects of correlated sources are investigated. Correlated source
coding in terms of the Slepian-Wolf theorem is investigated to determine the amount of
information leakage for various correlated source models. The perfect secrecy approach
developed by Shannon has also been incorporated as a security approach. In order to
explore these security aspects the techniques employed range from typical sequences used
to prove Slepian-Wolf's theorem to coding methods incorporating matrix partitions for
correlated sources.
A generalized correlated source model is presented and the procedure to determine the
information leakage is initially illustrated using this model. A novel scenario for two
correlated sources across a channel with eavesdroppers is also investigated. It is a basic
model catering for the correlated source applications that have been detailed. The
information leakage quanti cation is provided, where bounds specify the quantity of information
leaked for various cases of eavesdropped channel information. The required
transmission rates for perfect secrecy when some channel information has been wiretapped
is further determined, followed by a method to reduce the key length required
for perfect secrecy. The implementation thereafter provided shows how the information
leakage is determined practically. In the same way using the information leakage
quanti cation, Shannon's cipher system approach and practical implementation a novel
two correlated source model where channel information and some source data symbols
(predetermined information) are wiretapped is investigated. The adversary in this situation
has access to more information than if a link is wiretapped only and can thus
determine more about a particular source. This scenario caters for an application where
the eavesdropper has access to some predetermined information. The security aspects
and coding implementation have further been developed for a novel correlated source
model with a heterogeneous encoding method. The model caters for situations where a
wiretapper is able to easily access a particular source.
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The interesting link between information theory and coding theory is explored for the
novel models presented in this research. A matrix partition method is utilized and the
information leakage for various cases of wiretapped syndromes are presented.
The research explores the security for correlated sources in the presence of wiretappers.
Both the information leakage and Shannon's cipher system approach are used to achieve
these security aspects. The implementation shows the practicality of using these security
aspects in communications systems. The research contained herein is signi cant as
evident from the various applications it may be used for and to the author's knowledge
is novel.
Description
A thesis submitted in ful llment of the requirements
for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy
in the
School of Electrical and Information Engineering
Faculty of Engineering
University of the Witwatersrand
July 2015