An Energy-Efficient Cross-Layer Approach for Wireless Sensor Networks Security

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) represent an emerging technology that aims to offer major innovations in terms of capabilities. Their use is set to grow steadily in many areas. However, the resource limitations of sensor nodes are a major constraint, especially in terms of security. For this reason, extensive work has been conducted on designing security protocols, making a compromise between the level of security and resource consumption. Most of this work has been based on single-layer approaches that address the security problem at the level of a single layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model. In this article, we address the security problem of WSN networks using cross-layer methodology to propose a multi-layer solution. In this solution, the principle is based on the interaction and collaboration of three adjacent layers (physical layer, link layer and network layer). It implements two intrusion detection agents: a local intrusion detection agent and a global intrusion detection agent. The solutions algorithm includes an initialization phase and a detection phase. Several simulations were carried out to demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of this solution in terms of packet transmission rate and energy consumption in a network of twenty-two sensor nodes. By comparing our solution with those in the literature, we obtained a minimum packet transmission rate and energy consumption.