Zigbee Security discussed

For any kind of wireless network, reliable communications are the most important. The same applies to Zigbee too. The measures used by Zigbee to ensure its reliability allow the wireless network to operate in a very protected environment.

Even the adjacent networks of Zigbee would not interfere in the other network. Along with this, the networks which are operating in the neighborhood based on the other standards like Bluetooth will not interfere with Zigbee.

Measures used by Zigbee for reliability

There are quite a lot of techniques which are used by Zigbee in order to increase its reliability. The transmission scheme which is used by Zigbee allows it to avoid transmitting the data whenever there is any activity on the channel which is known as CSMA-CA.

What it means in simple terms is that before it begins the transmission, the node will listen to check if the channel is cleared. If there is any activity detected, then the node will delay the transmission for some time and then listen again. Zigbee also uses the acknowledgement mechanisms which are built to ensure that the messages reach the destination.

Whenever the message reaches the destination, the device receiving it will send across an acknowledgement for it. If the acknowledgement is not received within the specified time range, then the original message would be sent again.

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Security measures used in Zigbee

The Zigbee networks are quite secure since the use several measures in order to prevent any intrusion from the hostile parties and also from the Zigbee networks in the neighborhood.

Along with Zigbee a security toolbox is provided which offers various features like the AES Encryption which is a high security encryption system which is key based. This system is used in order to prevent the external agents from interpreting the data of the network. The data is encrypted right at the source and is then decrypted when it reaches the destination.

Another feature for security which is used is the message timeout which allows the rejection of the timed-out messages so that there are no replay attacks. There is a frame counter which is added to the message. This helps the device to determine how old the message is. This provides good protection against the replay attacks.

Another security measure is that the node is able to select other nodes with which it will communicate. This is done by the use of an ACL- Access Control List which is maintained within the device.

This contains MAC addresses of the nodes with which it is allowed to communicate. This allows further security of the message. Considering all of the security and reliability measures which are used by Zigbee, it can be said that it is fairly secure. With time, even more security measures would be added to the Zigbee technology and products.