Sentinel: Low-Power Semi-Supervised Machine-Learning-Based Intrusion Detection for IoT Networks

The Challenge

IoT networks are highly susceptible to security breaches, yet they lack the power resources for computationally intensive intrusion detection like deep packet inspection (DPI). As IoT adoption spreads to critical applications in smart cities, water treatment plants, and 5G-enabled infrastructure, securing these networks without compromising power efficiency and latency has become essential. Traditional intrusion detection systems rely on complex algorithms that drain power resources, making them unsuitable for IoT devices operating at the network edge with limited energy and processing capacity. This presents a significant security gap that demands a more efficient solution.

How It Works

Sentinel employs a unique, low-power intrusion detection approach optimized for IoT environments. Leveraging a semi-supervised machine learning model implemented on field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), Sentinel combines the strengths of both supervised and unsupervised learning for deep packet inspection. Unlike conventional systems relying on GPUs or CPUs, this FPGA-driven solution enables rapid, single-cycle memory access and parallel processing to deliver accurate intrusion detection with minimal power usage. Sentinel’s design also incorporates a scrollable network map for real-time visualization, enabling faster incident response and streamlined monitoring.

Key Advantages

- Significantly reduces power consumption, making it suitable for IoT devices at the edge of the network.

- Maintains high detection accuracy with low latency, minimizing risks in latency-sensitive environments like 5G networks.

- Enhances visibility with a user-friendly, scrollable network map for real-time monitoring.

- Customizable detection weights allow for more responsive anomaly detection, adapting quickly to new threats.

Market Applications

Sentinel’s low-power intrusion detection is ideal for:

- Smart cities, providing secure communication across interconnected devices and services.

- Water treatment plants and critical infrastructure, where downtime or compromised data integrity can have severe consequences.

- 5G-enabled IoT networks, supporting secure and fast data transfer while adhering to power and latency constraints at the network edge.

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