Improving Vehicular Network Authentication with Teegraph: A Hashgraph-Based Efficiency Approach

Vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) are a critical aspect of intelligent transportation systems, improving safety and comfort for drivers. These networks enhance the driving experience by offering timely information vital for safety and comfort. Yet, VANETs come with their own set of challenges concerning security, privacy, and design reliability. Traditionally, vehicle authentication occurred every time it entered the domain of the Road Unit (RSU). In our study, we suggest authentication should take place only when a vehicle hasn’t covered a set distance, increasing system efficiency. The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) has seen an upsurge in the use of IoT devices across various fields, including smart cities, healthcare, and vehicular IoT. These devices, while gathering environmental data and networking, often face reliability issues without a trusted intermediary. IBM anticipates blockchains, having evolved over the past decade, to be pivotal in IoT technology. Our study delves deep into implementing Teegraph in VANETs to enhance authentication. Given VANET’s integral role in Intelligent Transportation Systems and its inherent challenges, we turn to Hashgraph—an alternative to blockchain. Hashgraph offers a decentralized, secure, and trustworthy database. We introduce an efficient authentication system, which triggers when a vehicle hasn’t traversed a set distance, optimizing system efficiency. Moreover, we shed light on the indispensable role Hashgraph can occupy in the rapidly expanding IoT landscape. Lastly, we present Teegraph, a novel Hashgraph-based technology, as a superior alternative to blockchain, ensuring a streamlined, scalable authentication solution. Our approach leverages the logical key hierarchy (LKH) and packet update keys to ensure data privacy and integrity in vehicular networks.