SRAM PUF-based Cryptography for Key Generation and Continuous Authentication in Smart Meters

Abstract

There is no security without trust, so this research work was conducted to find out the impact of applying PUF technology in the authentication and cryptographic processes of smart meters to build the trust between parties. The physical access and machine learning attacks led to this research work proffer reasonable solution that will lead to an effective security system and to form a basis on which further research could be carried out. A proposed system was formulated to effectively carry out the research work. The research is based on simulation using C language in Linux Operation System and assuming the service provider side is fully protected. SRAM PUF size was 64K for a convenient entropy level, with a hash function (SHA-256) and advanced encryption standard (AES) with 256-bits key size. Pairs of challenges and responses were used for the authentication, as well as generation of secret keys derived from the PUF. The findings include the protocol increment the security level and protect information inside the meter with the continuous authentication and key generation, along with the impossibility of keys prediction and storage as a costless solution. Error correction code is discussed along with some security analysis. A real-life PUF implementation is missing, to emphasize the proposed protocol.