Year
1999
Abstract
The technology to securely perform data monitoring in remote locations has improved immensely in the past few years. A system using sensors with embedded microprocessors is being implemented to ensure the integrity, authenticity, and confidentiality of measured physical attributes of protected assets during remote verification. The transactions in a verification system must guarantee that the information has been generated by trusted sources, has not been altered, and is protected from disclosure to unauthorized personnel. The Secure Sensor System architecture utilizes a hierarchical approach allowing each tier's security requirement to be individually addressed. At the local storage facility, the system consists of microprocessor-embedded sensors, sensor controllers, and facility database clients. Sensor readings and alerts in the facility database can be viewed locally with the Graphical Facility Information Center (GraFICtm) system. GraFICtm is also used at the remote verification site to observe those same sensor readings and alerts. Information transactions between the tiers as well as between the storage site and verification site occur with encryption and certification technology. the smart sensors use low power components and techniques, communicate to a sensor controller using a set of standard commands and responses, and have the capability to perform secure algorithms for data authentication.