A security proof for 802.11s protocols

The IEEE 802.11s working group was tasked to provide ways of establishing and securing a wireless mesh network. One proposal established a Mesh Security Architecture (MSA), with a developed key hierarchy and full protocol definitions. This talk examines the correctness and security of the MSA proposal and its corresponding protocols. Protocol Composition Logic (PCL) is utilized to prove individual protocols secure, as well as their composition. We add to the structure of PCL, generalizing it for peer-to-peer applications. We also discuss two security issues discovered with original versions of the proposals and proposed remedies.

Bio: Dr. Doug Kuhlman received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics, computer science, and religion from Wartburg College in 1995. He received a Ph.D. in mathematics with emphases on algebraic number theory and arithmetic geometry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2000. He is currently employed by Motorola Mobility, Inc, where he does broad-ranging security research, with a special affinity for public-key cryptology. His current addiction is Magic the Gathering and he harbors an unnatural love of Tolkien’s works.