Privacy Preserving Task Force Communication in Hastily Formed Networks through ACT

Abstract

Task Forces are groups formed to command, control and manage time bound emergency situations
like rescue and relief operations, event management, emergency health care assistance, through collaborative
effort. Technological assistance and coordination among the members of the Task Forces
are critical for accomplishing their mission. The proposed work gives a scheme for secure and privacy
preserving group communication among the members at different hierarchical levels of the
Task Force. Mostly such tasks are to be carried out in conditions of scarce infrastructural availability.
Communication among the members of the Task Force is based on their responsibility and authority
within the sub-group to which they belong and can be realized through Mobile Adhoc Network
(MANET). The proposed system achieves privacy and security in communication through Access
Control Tree (ACT) structure using Ciphertext Policy Attribute Based Encryption (CP-ABE). The
proposed solution supports two essential requirements of a Task Force for accomplishing its goal
within the stipulated time. One, a well organized Task Force with clear division of responsibility
and authority and the other, secure and privacy retaining communication among the members of the
group.