Flexible Security Configuration & Deployment in Peer-to-Peer Applications

The widespread adoption or P2P applications fit environments beyond ordinary file sharing demands the fulfillment or several security requirements. Important steps have been taken towards security in P2P systems, with relevant mechanisms being proposed in the past to address specific vulnerabilities. However, existing approaches lack flexibility, since they do not (include enough mechanisms to) tackle it wide range of requirements ill all integrated fashion. In addition, they oblige the user/application to manipulate a complex programming Interface, as well its going through a cumbersome configuration process. To address these issues, we present P2PSL (P2P Security Layer), which allows gradual and flexible integration or security functionality into P2P applications. To show concept kind technical feasibility, we have implemented P2PSL, assessed the overhead it induces, and Incorporated the layer into a P2P-based grid computing infrastructure.