Pseudonym Authentication on Network Layer in Information-Centric Networks

The current data-centric security architecture for the Information Centric Network (ICN) does not provide efficient user authentication mechanisms, thus causing undesirable issues such as interest flooding attacks (IFA). In order to address them, this paper proposes a pseudonym authentication scheme on network layer based on the system of identity-based cryptography (IBC). In the proposed approach, each consumer needs to be authenticated before sending Interest packets into the network. After successful authentication, the consumer will be assigned a temporary nickname to be used in later data request. During the procedure, IBC is adopted to protect real names of consumers and verify the interest origin. As a result, this approach can complete user authentication and protect his real identity simultaneously. The proposed approach is case studied in IFA depression and expected results are achieved.