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Journal of Cyber Security and Mobility

Physical Encoding in Optical Layer Security

Zhenxing Wang, Mable P. Fok, Paul R. Prucnal

Published Jan 17, 2012• 11 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Data security at the physical layer of optical networks, or optical layer security, has received considerable research attention due to the rapid growth of optical network capacity [1]. Among various optical layer approaches, optical codedivision multiple access (OCDMA) systems are considered to be promising because of the physical encoding and decoding processes comprising these systems. Generally, physical encoding is an important concept in the field of optical layer security, which implements encoding to the transmitted optical signals, and protects the transmitted data from attack. In this paper, we provide an overview of various OCDMA systems, and discuss the impact of different physical encoding methods on OCDMA systems, in terms of security assurance. Furthermore, we introduce the application of physical encoding to optical steganography and optical transmission with wireless CDMA for security improvement.

DOI
10.13052/jcsm2245-1439.116

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Data security at the physical layer of optical networks, or optical layer security, has received considerable research attention due to the rapid growth of optical network capacity [1]. Among various optical layer approaches, optical codedivision multiple access (OCDMA) systems are considered to be promising because of the physical encoding and decoding processes comprising these systems. Generally, physical encoding is an important concept in the field of optical layer security, which implements encoding to the transmitted optical signals, and protects the transmitted data from attack. In this paper, we provide an overview of various OCDMA systems, and discuss the impact of different physical encoding methods on OCDMA systems, in terms of security assurance. Furthermore, we introduce the application of physical encoding to optical steganography and optical transmission with wireless CDMA for security improvement.
The physical layer of an optical network is vulnerable to a variety of attacks, including jamming, physical infrastructure attacks, eavesdropping, and interception. As the demand for network capacity grows dramatically, the issue of securing the physical layer of optical network cannot be overlooked. In this survey paper, we discuss the security threats in an optical network as well as present several existing optical techniques to improve the security. In the first part of this paper, we discuss various types of security threats that could appear in the optical layer of an optical network, including jamming, physical infrastructure attacks, eavesdropping, and interception. Intensive research has focused on improving optical network security, in the above specific areas. Real-time processing of the optical signal is essential in order to integrate security functionality at the physical layer while not undermining the true value of optical communications, which is its speed. Optical layer security benefits from the unique properties of optical processing-instantaneous response, broadband operation, electromagnetic immunity, compactness, and low latency. In the second part of this paper, various defenses against the security threats outlined in this paper are discussed, including optical encryption, optical code-division multiple access (CDMA) confidentiality, self-healing survivable optical rings, anti-jamming, and optical steganography.
This chapter focuses primarily on summarizing results of research on optical code-division multiple access (OCDMA) confidentiality and security. It introduces the various classes of security for the readers who may not be familiar with the field of security and encryption. The chapter discusses how the degree of security in an OCDMA network can be quantified. OCDMA may be advantageous for increasing network availability in the presence of interfering signals, because the signal is spread over many wavelengths. The most commonly used architecture for OCDMA networks is the star network. In the star network, data from all users are collected at some central point and then distributed to all users. An eavesdropper in an OCDMA network may tap signals from various locations within the network. The network designer can design some countermeasures to make the eavesdropper's job a bit more difficult. OCDMA provides security at the physical layer of a communication network.
Using optical processing techniques, we experimentally enhance the physical layer security of optical communication systems. We exploit optical encryption using fiber nonlinearity to achieve real time data encryption. By implementing interleaved waveband switching modulation and variable two-code keying to the system, the security of the data is further enhanced. Based on spread spectrum, we also demonstrate optical steganography such that the stealth signal is transmitted underneath system noise. Optical steganography in WDM and optical CDMA systems is experimentally demonstrated. We also propose and study optical CDMA-based backup channels that improve service availability without wasting the bandwidth in the backup channel. The multi-layered security provided improves the confidentiality and availability of the network.
Optical CDMA (OCMDA) technology directly encrypts optical transmission links at the physical layer, which can improve the security of communication system against fibre-optic eavesdropping attacks. System parameters will affect the performances of OCDMA systems, based on the wiretap channel model of OCDMA systems, "secrecy capacity" is employed as an indicator to estimate the effects of system parameters (the type of code words, the length of code words) on the security of the systems. Simulation results demonstrate that system parameters play an important role and choosing the code words with better cross-correlation characteristics can improve the security of OCDMA systems.
Abstract This paper presents a novel multi-layer secure communication system that bases 2D-OCDMA technology to enhance the security and number of users of the system. The system innovatively combines RSA encryption, polarization multiplexing, and address coding techniques to protect and transmit the data. At the transmitting end, the data is encrypted by algorithm and then encoded by address code. The encoded optical data is split into two orthogonal polarization states and sent over the same channel. At the receiving end, only the optical signals in the matching polarization state can be retrieved by the polarizer with the right angle. The retrieved data is then decoded by the address code and decrypted by the algorithm to recover the original data. This system achieves multi-layer security and capacity enhancement by processing the information at different layers. The feasibility of the system is demonstrated by joint experimental simulation using Java programming language and Optisystem simulation software. In this paper, low BER transmission of 4 code words for 8 users 50 km 1Gbit/s is realized using optical orthogonal codes (OOC) with BER around 10−30. It realizes the enhancement of 4-user to 8-user without affecting the transmission effect.
This paper puts forward a cross-layer security model for optical networks using Spectral Amplitude CodingOptical Code Division Multiple Access (SAC-OCDMA) as a combination with optical cryptography. The new architecture provides data confidentiality through two layers of protection: (1) physical layer Bragg filter-based spectral encoding and (2) data layer XOR logic gate-based encryption through a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (SOA-MZI). In this method, unauthorized users must bypass both the spectral coding and optical encryption mechanisms, which significantly strengthen transmission security. The system is simulated using OptiSystem software, and the results show an improved perfor- mance of the Bit Error Rate (BER) and Quality (Q) factors. This hybrid optical security model demonstrates high potential for applications in secure fiber-optic communication networks.