Trusted Content Networking: Reputation-based Trust for Information-Centric Networks (TCN)
The H2020 NGI_Trust-funded TCN project, aims at providing trust and security functions for the Future Internet. To this end, Information-Centric Networking (ICN) paradigm, which emerges as a promising candidate for the Future Internet architecture, forms the basis of our project. In constrast to the existing IP paradigm, designed for supporting host-to-host communication, ICN names directly the content itself,regardless of its location.
In TCN, we explore the feasibility of utilizing reputation-based trust to solve open security issues in Named Data Networking (NDN), the most prominent ICN architecture. In particular, we focus on two distinct use cases: Content Poisoning Attacks and Bitrate Oscillation Attacks (BOAs) in Dynamic Adaptive Streaming (DAS).
In the former, we assume a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file sharing scenario. In such a setting, we are designing a proactive attack mitigation mechanism. More specifically, we are leveraging blockchain technology (the Proof-of-Prestige (PoP) consensus algorithm) to provide incentives for benign behavior and proactively mitigate malevolent content dissemination by attackers, effectively achieving the distribution of trusted content.
In the latter, we assume a multimedia streaming scenario, where users download and stream video files, using the DAS standard. In this framework, we implement a proactive reputation-based countermeasure which safeguards the network from Bitrate Oscillation Attacks. Our mechanism provides defense against ongoing attacks and thus, prevents the adversaries from degrading the benign DAS clients’ perceived Quality of Experience (QoE).
SENSKIN: 'SENsing SKIN' for Monitoring-Based Maintenance of the Transport Infrastructure
Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is expected to play a predominant role in the management of the transport infrastructure nowadays mainly because much of the expected growth in traffic demand will have to be accommodated on existing infrastructure with widespread signs of deterioration, while climate changes may negatively affect the infrastructure loading. Yet, SHM techniques continue to rely on point-based, as opposed to spatial, sensing requiring a dense network of these point-sensors increasing considerably the monitoring cost. Furthermore, conventional sensors fail at relatively low strains and their communication system is unreliable in extreme service conditions: thus, they do not provide a foolproof alarm of an imminent structural collapse.
The European project, SENSKIN, responds to the above by developing an inexpensive, low power, wireless, skin-like sensor that offers spatial sensing of irregular surfaces (transportation bridges in particular). This sensor will be able to withstand and monitor large strains and to self-monitor/report. Emerging Delay Tolerant Networks technology will be also applied so that the output of the sensors is transmitted even under difficult conditions, such as, in the case of an earthquake, where some communication networks are inoperable.
Additionally, SENSKIN as a monitoring system will be supported by a Decision-Support-System for proactive condition-based structural intervention under operating loads and intervention after extreme events. The SENSKIN technology will be implemented in the case of bridges and tested, refined, evaluated and benchmarked on an actual bridge.Following these, SENSKIN is expected to drastically reduce traffic disruptions from structural inspection and assessment works, decrease inspection and assessment costs, increase the safety of passengers and improve the working conditions of inspectors.
DUTH/SPICE's role is the identification of SENSKIN device communication needs and the development of a DTN communication system responsible for storing and forwarding the data gathered from sensors to the data harvesting centre. Based on its critical role throughout the project, DUTH/SPICE team members will also contribute at several other work packages with tasks ranging from the installation of the communication gateway to the evaluation and testing of intra-sensor communication capabilities, including also the verification of proper communication between SENSKIN devices, gateways and the ad hoc data harvesting station.
Press Release
Project's website
Universal, Mobile-Centric and Opportunistic Communication Architecture (UMOBILE)
Cars, sensors, home appliances, every device in the daily life of citizens is becoming a constituent in Future Internet, adding to the need to reconsider requirements and assumptions in terms of network availability and affordability to support the ever increasing traffic demand. Still, the current Internet can only evolve adequately, if its infrastructure can be devised to accommodate the emerging services. The increased cost of adding new infrastructure and capacity has a drastic effect on rural and remote communities as well as nomadic users as they become marginalized by not gaining access to crucial Internet services. Our goal is to make the Future Internet universally pervasive supporting a diverse set of services.
To achieve this, we develop a universal mobile-centric and opportunistic communications architecture (UMOBILE), which integrates the principles of Delay Tolerant Networking (DTN) and Information Centric Networking (ICN) in a common framework.
We utilize the benefits of both ICN and DTN to enable resource exploitation at minimal bandwidth, opportunistic access to information and more localized access to information through novel caching strategies.
UMOBILE focuses on assisting users in getting access to the content they want or content that may be of shared interest to their trust circles. By relying on an instance of the UMOBILE architecture, users are able to share information directly with other peers without relying on infrastructure or expensive connectivity services. The proposed architecture targets the mobile part of the networks, extends Internet connectivity to regions that are not typically covered enhancing network resilience and is fully backward compatible with the current Internet architecture. We will validate our architecture in a real world trial as well as participate strategically in carefully planned dissemination, standardization and exploitation activities to ensure that our architecture transcends from the lab to real world deployments.
Project Coordinator: Democritus University of Thrace
Press Release
Δελτίο Τύπου
Project's website
Application of a BitTorrent-like Data Distribution Model to Mission
This study is in the context of ESA’s General Studies programme, in the general area of innovative concepts and technologies for mission operations. In particular, ESA is interested in the concept of utilising the CCSDS File Delivery Protocol (CFDP) in a variety of torrent-like architectures, for potential use in future mission operations.
The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of this and related ideas, and to develop the capability and tools for modelling and simulation of such communications architectures for future missions.
ESA Statement of Work
List of Work Packages
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Feasibility Assessment
Baseline Concept and Reference Scenario
Network Elements
Physical Elements
Simulator Design and Integration
Physical Model Implementation
Network Model Implementation
Simulation Experiments
Final Report
DISCOS: Distributed Information Storage and Communication in Outer Space
DISCOS (Distributed Information Storage and Communication in Outer Space) is an R&D activity in the emerging area of security in DTN-based space data systems. The activity aims towards the design and implementation of a secure hw device running the DTN stack that can be part of the DTN trials in ground and ultimately in space.
The DISCOS proposal is in accordance with the specifications set by the CCSDS and ESA. The DISCOS proposal sets the following objectives:
(i) to assess the security requirements for space DTN in order to propose and implement secure mechanisms that satisfies them and that mitigate the identified threats
(ii) to test DTN with security mechanisms
(iii) to design and implement a secure DTN device node consisting of hardware modules (low-power processor, memory and storage area) and interoperable software modules (the DTN stack and the implemented security mechanisms)
(iv) to assess/evaluate the system’s performance
(v) to identify and quantify the trade-offs between security and performance and to propose optimizations.
Space-Data Routers
FP-7 Project co-funded by European Commission
SPA.2010.2.1-03 Exploitation of science and exploration data
This project that has the potential to allow Space Agencies, Academic Institutes and Research Centers to share space-data generated by a single or multiple missions, in a natural, flexible, secure and automated manner. We develop a communication overlay modeled according to thematic context of missions, Ground Segment topological distribution, Agency policies and Application restrictions and requirements. We realize our model through the development of Space-Data Routers: a (Delay-Tolerant Networking) DTN-enabled device that:
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incorporates the Space Agency administrative instructions and policies for data dissemination and resource utilization, and
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integrates the DTN protocol stack with application, network and link layer protocols.
We pay particular attention to ESA roadmap for Interplanetary Communications and implement a communication scheme that scales natively with future deployments in Space. In essence, we promote the ultimate objective of most missions, which is to return space data, which, in turn, will be disseminated and exploited for the benefit of human scientific knowledge. Space-Data Routers form an overlay suitable for exploiting space data efficiently, which is, by definition, a major objective of all space missions and probably the most significant failure today.
Extending Internet into Space - Phase 3: ESA/ESOC DTN/IP Testbed Deployment and Optimization
Funded by the European Space Agency (ESA)
This project elaborates on four major activities:
Evaluation of CFDP Service versus DTN service, full CFDP over full DTN and CFDP as file service over full DTN service. A roadmap from CFDP to DTN service will be discussed and evaluated based on scheduled activities for deployment in Space in 2023 and beyond.
Enhancements of the DTN Testbed in the context of Space Internetworking. This activity is associated with the design and deployment of a lightweight version of DTN for Space, in which some unnecessary functions of the bundle may be removed while others such as priorities and naming may be added.
Experiments with the Testbed, in three phases. These experiments will evaluate the functionality of DTN, the efficiency of DTN and the potential of DTN to provide reliable communication service through alternative channels.
Enhancement of the Testbed with Security mechanisms, which will be studied in depth.
The ultimate objectives of the present proposal are highlighted below:
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To integrate ESA policies and procedures into administrative protocol instructions.
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To integrate realistic scenarios and applications into Testbed.
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To allow for policy-based routing along with static and flexible dynamic routing.
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To unify space and earth communications through layered architecture and convergence layers.
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To evaluate all aspects of the new architecture adequately, emphasizing on security.
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To determine – through experiments – the roadmap from CFDP to DTN.
