Secure Initial Configuration of Resource Constrained Wireless Smart Objects

A lack of universal initial configuration (or bootstrapping) of low-cost resource constrained wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has greatly limited interconnectivity. Traditional methods such as a central authority or a userentered passphrase are unacceptable on very resourceconstrained nodes. Many methods have been proposed; most of them only suitable in specific situations. An analysis of common problems in WSNs will lead to a set of requirements for a bootstrapping system. From there existing solutions will be compared to the requirements; the results of which are a selection of four main methods of bootstrapping. The methods are then expanded on to describe considerations for deploying them in a secure manner.