A Lightweight Zero Trust Framework for Secure 5G VANET Vehicular Communication

Vehicular ad-hoc networks (VANETs) facilitate vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication for intelligent transportation systems (ITS). However, security remains a major concern for VANETs, especially with the emergence of 5G connectivity. Traditional security models like trust-based schemes are inadequate to protect against potential cyber threats. Moreover, delay in message delivery is another major issue caused by fast-moving vehicles in VANETs. Zero trust has become a new paradigm to strengthen security by eliminating implicit trust. This research presents a lightweight zero-trust framework for securing V2V and V2I communications in 5G VANETs using two algorithms. The framework enforces continuous authentication and access control using a centralized certification server (CCS) to authorize vehicle communication. Microsegmentation principles (visibility, granular security, and dynamic adaptation) divide the network into secure zones (clusters) and minimize lateral movement after a breach. The proposed framework integrates authorization, encryption, and anomaly detection to realize the zero trust vision. The framework is implemented using secure web services, and performance is measured using a third-party tool. The results of experimental analysis demonstrate that the framework's performance can effectively strengthen VANET security by preventing impersonation attacks and ensuring legitimacy of vehicular communication. The lightweight nature of the algorithms allows efficient realization of zero trust without excessive overheads. This proposed research highlights the promise of zero-trust principles for advancing security in 5G VANET ecosystems.