Hardware Authentication and Encryption Module (HEAM)

Abstract

The field of technology and worldwide data exchange is constantly growing. One of its most promising outcomes has been the introduction of IOT and it’s uses. In the field of smart ecosystems IOT sensors are deployed and the corresponding data is used for specific purposes. The IOT sensors are resource and power constrained meaning they don’t provide any reasonable authentication and encryption of the data which results in the traversal of data in unencrypted form making it vulnerable and easy to alter. The software-based encryption is also done on the edge layer meaning there is no way of encrypting the data prior to it being shared, which in case of insecure gateways can be very harmful. HEAM is a black box easy to use device which is made up by x2 ESP32 (Sender and receiver) devices. The device acts as a gateway for the IOT sensors where the data is encrypted at run time prior to being shared and then the receiver HEAM device decrypts the corresponding Cipher for its use case. The project aims to provide safe traversal of data where sensitive data is being shared and no secure mechanisms are in place. When implemented, this project can be beneficial in providing encryption and authentication to all kind of IOT sensory communication making it a vital part of everyone’s life in the smart eco system. Key Words: ESP32, Encryption, Decryption, IOT, Real time sensory data