SafeTrack: Secure Tracking Protocol for Mobile Sensor Nodes in Unstable Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper, we present SafeTrack, a novel, secure tracking protocol specifically for mobile sensor nodes in unstable wireless sensor networks (UWSNs). To the best of our knowledge, the proposed framework addresses the main challenges, including dynamic network topology, energy constraints, and Sy...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ali Adnan Al-Khazraji, Fatimah Abdulridha Rashid
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11062642/
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849320323831300096
author Ali Adnan Al-Khazraji
Fatimah Abdulridha Rashid
author_facet Ali Adnan Al-Khazraji
Fatimah Abdulridha Rashid
author_sort Ali Adnan Al-Khazraji
collection DOAJ
description In this paper, we present SafeTrack, a novel, secure tracking protocol specifically for mobile sensor nodes in unstable wireless sensor networks (UWSNs). To the best of our knowledge, the proposed framework addresses the main challenges, including dynamic network topology, energy constraints, and Sybil and impersonation attacks. In SafeTrack, we introduce a Dual Layer Security Framework (DLSF), which a lightweight cryptographic technique is paired with a trust based approach to provide robust node authentication and secured communication. It also incorporates an Adaptive Routing Algorithm (ARA) and an Energy Optimization Module (EOM) to enable both efficient resource utilization and resilience to changes in dynamic network conditions. Simulation and performance analysis show that SafeTrack performs much better than any previous state of the art protocol. This results in a 64% improvement in localization accuracy, 24.1% higher energy retention, and 51.1% lower latency, while achieving optimal performance even in highly unstable environments. We validate scalability of the framework with support for up to 300 nodes, which is far beyond what other protocols can do. Additionally, SafeTrack demonstrates a 70.6% improvement in network throughput, providing the ability to support high loads of traffic. SafeTrack is novel in that it combines advanced security and adaptive optimization techniques specifically designed for UWSNs. Using this innovative approach not only improves network reliability and security but also provides sustainability in energy constrained environments. The results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of SafeTrack, positioning it in the vanguard of solutions for real world applications in smart cities, healthcare systems and industrial IoT.
format Article
id doaj-art-392dd75f9cf746a4a2b88411afdaaebf
institution Kabale University
issn 2169-3536
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher IEEE
record_format Article
series IEEE Access
spelling doaj-art-392dd75f9cf746a4a2b88411afdaaebf2025-08-20T03:50:07ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-011311373611375110.1109/ACCESS.2025.358486911062642SafeTrack: Secure Tracking Protocol for Mobile Sensor Nodes in Unstable Wireless Sensor NetworksAli Adnan Al-Khazraji0https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6402-6484Fatimah Abdulridha Rashid1Computer Engineering Department, Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, IraqComputer Engineering Department, Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, IraqIn this paper, we present SafeTrack, a novel, secure tracking protocol specifically for mobile sensor nodes in unstable wireless sensor networks (UWSNs). To the best of our knowledge, the proposed framework addresses the main challenges, including dynamic network topology, energy constraints, and Sybil and impersonation attacks. In SafeTrack, we introduce a Dual Layer Security Framework (DLSF), which a lightweight cryptographic technique is paired with a trust based approach to provide robust node authentication and secured communication. It also incorporates an Adaptive Routing Algorithm (ARA) and an Energy Optimization Module (EOM) to enable both efficient resource utilization and resilience to changes in dynamic network conditions. Simulation and performance analysis show that SafeTrack performs much better than any previous state of the art protocol. This results in a 64% improvement in localization accuracy, 24.1% higher energy retention, and 51.1% lower latency, while achieving optimal performance even in highly unstable environments. We validate scalability of the framework with support for up to 300 nodes, which is far beyond what other protocols can do. Additionally, SafeTrack demonstrates a 70.6% improvement in network throughput, providing the ability to support high loads of traffic. SafeTrack is novel in that it combines advanced security and adaptive optimization techniques specifically designed for UWSNs. Using this innovative approach not only improves network reliability and security but also provides sustainability in energy constrained environments. The results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of SafeTrack, positioning it in the vanguard of solutions for real world applications in smart cities, healthcare systems and industrial IoT.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11062642/Secure trackingmobile sensor networkstrust mechanismdata privacy
spellingShingle Ali Adnan Al-Khazraji
Fatimah Abdulridha Rashid
SafeTrack: Secure Tracking Protocol for Mobile Sensor Nodes in Unstable Wireless Sensor Networks
IEEE Access
Secure tracking
mobile sensor networks
trust mechanism
data privacy
title SafeTrack: Secure Tracking Protocol for Mobile Sensor Nodes in Unstable Wireless Sensor Networks
title_full SafeTrack: Secure Tracking Protocol for Mobile Sensor Nodes in Unstable Wireless Sensor Networks
title_fullStr SafeTrack: Secure Tracking Protocol for Mobile Sensor Nodes in Unstable Wireless Sensor Networks
title_full_unstemmed SafeTrack: Secure Tracking Protocol for Mobile Sensor Nodes in Unstable Wireless Sensor Networks
title_short SafeTrack: Secure Tracking Protocol for Mobile Sensor Nodes in Unstable Wireless Sensor Networks
title_sort safetrack secure tracking protocol for mobile sensor nodes in unstable wireless sensor networks
topic Secure tracking
mobile sensor networks
trust mechanism
data privacy
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/11062642/
work_keys_str_mv AT aliadnanalkhazraji safetracksecuretrackingprotocolformobilesensornodesinunstablewirelesssensornetworks
AT fatimahabdulridharashid safetracksecuretrackingprotocolformobilesensornodesinunstablewirelesssensornetworks