Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Monograph

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Program

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Supervisor

Dr. Abdelkader Ouda

Abstract

The expansion of smart metering within the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem underscores the need for robust security protocols that safeguard data transmission while optimizing device efficiency. Wireless Meter-Bus (wM-Bus), a key protocol for remote meter reading in utility systems such as gas, water, and heat meters, faces significant security challenges. This dissertation introduces a method to enhance wM-Bus security by integrating the Noise Protocol Framework (NPF), which secures wM-Bus against vulnerabilities and optimizes for the energy constraints of IoT devices. Initially examining wM-Bus security issues, particularly in battery-operated smart meters, the study explores the NPF’s lightweight, adaptable security solutions. Implementation analysis focuses on NPF handshake patterns NX (non-interactive with public key transmission by the initiator) and XX (mutual public key exchange), assessing their compatibility with wM-Bus through metrics such as memory use, packet size, and handshake time. Findings reveal that these patterns significantly outperform traditional methods like Transport Layer Security (TLS) in reducing energy consumption, thereby extending IoT devices’ operational lifespan. The study achieved a 5\% battery-life reduction with NX and a 25\% battery-life reduction with XX, enhancing both security and efficiency. These implementations also improved system security by reducing handshake times by up to 4.7\% and minimizing packet sizes by up to 68.38\%, critical for mitigating security threats. They also showed improvement in memory consumption compared to TLS. The proposed lightweight protocol effectively balances advanced security and efficiency, maintaining data confidentiality, integrity, and availability in smart metering without sacrificing performance. Security testing against the Spoofing, Tampering, Repudiation, Information Disclosure, Denial of Service, and Elevation of Privilege (STRIDE) model confirmed the resilience of this new protocol, thereby enhancing the security framework. This research not only establishes a more secure foundation for smart metering but also sets a precedent for future studies on integrating lightweight cryptographic frameworks in IoT environments.

Summary for Lay Audience

The dissertation focuses on improving security for devices like smart meters that communicate wirelessly, especially within the "Internet of Things" (IoT) framework. These devices, which measure things like water, gas, and electricity usage, use a communication method known as Wireless M-Bus. However, this method has security risks. The dissertation introduces a new way to make these communications safer using something called the Noise protocol, which is better suited for devices with limited battery life, like those in IoT setups. The study shows that this new method reduces the battery usage of these devices and enhances security without sacrificing performance, making it a practical solution for ensuring that data transmitted by smart meters is both secure and efficient.

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