Scaling Dependability and Security in Ad Hoc Networks

Abstract

The increasing size and complexity of the next generation of large distributed systems will require radical new approaches for guaranteeing certain levels of dependability and security. Current solutions might become brittle in context of new applications, such as pervasive computing, in which there is a large number of components with dynamic interdependencies between them. The inherent complexity of these future systems due to heterogeneity, decentralisation, and emergent technologies also demand scalable and robust solutions. An example of such emergent technologies is ad hoc networks, which are self-configuring networks that enable the connection of thousands of devices in arbitrary topologies. The objective of the panel is to discuss the challenges and the potential solutions when building dependable and secure applications in the context of ad hoc networks. This panel has been organised as a joint event between the Sixth International Conference on Ad-Hoc Networks and Wireless (Ad Hoc NOW 2007) and the Third Latin American Symposium on Dependable Computing (LADC 2007), which are two co-located events of the Mexican International Conference in Computer Science (ENC 2007).