RAHE: A Robust Attribute-Based Aggregate Scheme Enhanced with Homomorphic Encryption for 5G-Connected Delivery Drones

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, have become essential for transporting packages, food, medicines, and other goods due to the growing demand for fast and efficient delivery services. The implementation of 5G technology provides high-speed, low-latency, and reliable connectivity, which allows drones to exchange mission-critical data effectively. However, drones utilizing 5G networks are susceptible to security threats that could compromise essential security requirements such as confidentiality, authentication, integrity, and availability. In this paper, we propose a robust communication framework designed for secure interactions among 5G-connected delivery drones. Our framework relies on a novel Attribute-Based Encryption with Aggregation that is composed by an enhanced multi-level Attribute-Based Encryption (ABE) scheme with Homomorphic Encryption (HE). By integrating HE with the ABE scheme, the Ground Control Station (GCS) and the parent drone can decrypt mission-critical messages as required. This ensures that only authorized entities have access to sensitive data. Additionally, in scenarios that require data aggregation without exposing the underlying content, the HE property within the ABE scheme facilitates this process. As a result, encrypted data subsets can be aggregated anywhere in the network without the need for decryption, thereby preserving data confidentiality and enhancing both communication and computational efficiency. We utilize a hierarchical Chain-Based Data Aggregation (CBDA) model for the structural organization of drones, which enhances communication efficiency and reduces energy consumption. By integrating multi-level ABE for flexible and secure access control with HE, our framework effectively addresses major security challenges faced by 5G-based drone networks, ensuring the security and efficient management of mission-critical data.