Exploiting Correlations to Detect False Data Injections in Low-Density Wireless Sensor Networks

We propose a novel framework to detect false data injections in a low-density sensor environment with heterogeneous sensor data. The proposed detection algorithm learns how each sensor's data correlates within the sensor network, and false data is identified by exploiting the anomalies in these correlations. When a large number of sensors measuring homogeneous data are deployed, data correlations in space at a fixed snapshot in time could be used as as basis to detect anomalies. Exploiting disruptions in correlations when false data is injected has been used in a high-density sensor setting and proven to be effective. With increasing adoption of sensor deployments in low-density setting, there is a need to develop detection techniques for these applications. However, with constraints on the number of sensors and different data types, we propose the use of temporal correlations across the heterogeneous data to determine the authenticity of the reported data. We also provide an adversarial model that utilizes a graphical method to devise complex attack strategies where an attacker injects coherent false data in multiple sensors to provide a false representation of the physical state of the system with the aim of subverting detection. This allows us to test the detection algorithm and assess its performance in improving the resilience of the sensor network against data integrity attacks.