Security in LoRa Wireless Network

Security in LoRa Wireless Network
7 min read
22 October 2022

LoRa is a key technology for IoT in many industries. It enables long-range connectivity, which makes it ideal in many applications such as sensor networks or asset tracking; however, security must still be taken into consideration when using this type of wireless network because there are no guarantees that someone else won't come along who wants access to your data!

Any wireless network presents security risks, but some networks are more vulnerable than others. In this article, the security features of LoRa networks will be compared to those of other wireless networks, as well as ways to improve the security of LoRa networks.

It's important to consider security when designing LoRa networks because the unlicensed spectrum used in Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) bands can create interference problems. In addition, these devices are often battery-operated with limited processing power which makes them vulnerable to attacks by hackers who want access for personal gain!

Security Primitives of LoRa Network

The Security Primitives of the LoRa network are a set of methods and mechanisms used to achieve security in the LoRa network. The design of the LoRaWAN protocol takes into account the need for security at all levels: device, gateway, and network.

The security primitives implemented in LoRaWAN provide confidentiality, data integrity, authentication, and denial of service protection. In addition, the LoRa network uses state-of-the-art cryptography to protect information at all stages of transmission. As a result, the LoRa network is one of the most secure wireless networks available today.

Comparison of LoRa Network Security with LTE and Wi-Fi

Security is a critical concern for the Internet of Things (IoT). The interconnected nature of IoT devices means that a security breach in one device can easily lead to compromising the security of the entire system. LoRa is a wireless network designed specifically for IoT applications. One of the critical advantages of LoRa is its enhanced security features. The LoRa design includes several mechanisms to ensure that data is securely transmitted between devices.

For example, each device on a LoRa network has a unique identifier that helps to prevent spoofing attacks. In addition, all data packets are encrypted using AES 128-bit encryption. As a result, LoRa provides a high level of security for IoT applications.

LTE and WiFi are wireless networks that are commonly used for general Internet access. However, these networks were not designed with security in mind and do not offer the same level of protection as LoRa. For example, LTE uses a shared spectrum that can be intercepted by malicious actors.

In contrast, LoRa uses Frequency-Division Multiple Access (FDMA) which makes it more difficult for attackers to eavesdrop on communications. But, Wi-Fi networks are typically unprotected and use unencrypted transmission methods such as WiFi Protected Access (WPA) and Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2). As a result, Wi-Fi networks are less secure than LoRa and are not well suited for some IoT applications.

LoRa Network Use Cases with high Security priority

The LoRa network is a long-range, low-power wireless network that has become increasingly popular in recent years for its ability to transmit data over large distances with very little power. This makes it ideal for applications such as smart cities, where sensor data needs to be collected and transmitted over long distances, or for medical devices that need to be able to communicate with a central server but can't use a lot of power.

What makes the LoRa network even more attractive is its high security. The LoRa network uses multiple layers of security, including end-to-end encryption, which makes it very difficult for hackers to intercept data or eavesdrop on communications. This makes it an ideal choice for applications where data privacy and security are paramount.

 1-Smart Cities

One of the most promising applications for the LoRa network is in smart cities. Smart city applications require the collection and transmission of large amounts of data over long distances, which makes the LoRa network an ideal choice. In addition, smart city applications often need to be able to communicate with sensors and devices that are spread out over a wide area, which the LoRa network is well suited for.

The high security of the LoRa network is also important for smart city applications. For example, many smart city applications involve the collection of sensitive data such as air quality data or energy usage data. This data needs to be transmitted securely so that it can't be intercepted by hackers. The LoRa network's end-to-end encryption ensures that data is protected as it's transmitted from sensors to the central server.

Security in LoRa Wireless Network

 2-Medicine

Another area where the LoRa network is being used because of its high security is medicine. Medical devices such as pacemakers and insulin pumps often need to be able to communicate with a central server to send alerts or receive updates. However, these devices also need to be extremely secure to protect patient privacy.

The LoRa network's end-to-end encryption ensures that patient data stays private and secure as it's transmitted from medical devices to the central server. In addition, the LoRa network's low power consumption means that medical devices can stay operational for longer periods without needing to be recharged or replaced.

 3-Industry

The industry is one of the other areas where security is one of the main issues. Many industrial applications require the transmission of sensitive data such as production data or machine readings over long distances. The LoRa network's end-to-end encryption ensures that this data stays private and secure as it's transmitted from machines to the central server. In addition, the low power consumption of the LoRa network means that sensors and devices can stay operational for longer periods without needing to be powered down or replaced.

Conclusion:

While the LoRa wireless network is still in its early days, it’s clear that this technology offers tremendous potential for secure communication in smart cities, medicine, and many other applications. Compared to other networks, such as Bluetooth and WiFi, LoRa provides more security through its authentication and encryption methods.

Cities and businesses that are looking to increase security should consider using LoRa as their primary network or backup network.

If you want to develop the security of your network, you can think about LoRa Technology. Arshon Technology with a good background in LoRa design services can help you to find the best solution.  

Author: Sara (Fakhri) Siahkar IoT Specialist @ Arshon Technology Inc.

 

 

 

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