Secure dissemination of data in crisis management scenarios is always difficult to achieve because network connectivity is intermittent or absent. In this work we have combined data-centric information protection techniques based on usage control, sticky policies and rights management with opportunistic networking to enable the dissemination of information between first responders in crisis management situations. The dissemination of keys for access to the information is controlled by a policy hierarchy that describes the permitted devolution of control. Policies are evaluated whenever two users are in proximity in the field and keys are distributed upon successful evaluation. Simulations with conservative mobility models show that the delay on information access i.e., the difference between the distribution of information and the distribution of keys remains small for realistic densities of users in the geographical areas.
Enrico Scalavino, Giovanni Russello, Rudi Ball, Vaibhav Gowadia, Emil Lupu. An opportunistic authority evaluation scheme for data security in crisis management scenarios. ASIACCS 2010: 157-168.
The Intel ICRI in Sustainable Connected Cities is a joint project between Intel, Imperial College London, and University College London. Its activities are concerned with how to enhance the social, economic and environmental well being of cities by advancing compute, communication and social constructs to deliver innovations in system architecture, algorithms and societal participation.