A collaborative research team led by faculty from University of Dubai (UD) has partnered with the Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) to develop a first-of-its-kind advanced and secured wireless communication.
The patented technology centers on a new security algorithm that is directly implemented for the foundation of a communication channel. The algorithm has proved to be resistant against the sophisticated cyber security attacks while maintaining the communication performance in exchanging data in the channel. The secured and robust wireless communication system is designed for low-latency applications, which makes it useful for government entities that require high level security for their systems like satellite communications systems.
“The proposed system provides strong security with low-latency and low-complexity when compared to other cryptosystems. Moreover, the system offers joint-immunity against eavesdropping and jamming unlike conventional cryptosystems, which provide immunity against eavesdropping but not against jamming,” explained Dr. Husameldin Mukhtar, Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Dubai.
Dr. Mukhtar was the principal investigator on the project. His co-inventors listed on the patent are Khalifa University Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Dr. Arafat Al-Dweik, UD research assistant Tasnim Bassam Sami Nazzal, UD Dean of Engineering Dr. Hussain Al-Ahmad, and UD Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center Dr. Wathiq Mansoor.
The secure wireless communication protocol they developed is equipped with a secure encrypted channel that communicates data between the sender and authorised recipient.
“The proposed system eliminates the extra overhead introduced by conventional cryptosystems; hence, it provides a practical security solution for low-latency applications such as video communications, vehicular communications and tactile internet,” Dr. Mukhtar explained.
The protocol had undergone several tests at UD’s wireless communications lab and has proven to be resilient to complex cyber-attacks while maintaining the speed of performance. Moaza Al Falasi, researcher at Dubai Electronic Security Center, conducted a wide practical study of the challenges facing the current communications systems.
“We have measured the speed of data transmission with the new code we developed and it has effectively proved that it does not affect the speed of data transfer from one user to another. The protocol can also be applied to existing wireless devices without need for replacement,” Al Falasi said.