Secure Communication Protocols for Multi-Agent Systems

Abstract

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of secure communication protocols designed specifically for multi-agent systems operating in adversarial environments. We evaluate existing protocols against novel threat models and propose enhanced security measures for next-generation agent systems.

1. Introduction

As multi-agent systems become increasingly prevalent in critical infrastructure, financial services, and healthcare, the security of inter-agent communications has emerged as a paramount concern. Traditional security protocols often fail to address the unique challenges posed by distributed, autonomous agent networks.

This research addresses several key challenges:

• Authentication in decentralized agent networks
• Confidentiality of sensitive inter-agent communications
• Integrity protection against sophisticated adversaries
• Availability in the face of denial-of-service attacks
• Non-repudiation for accountability in autonomous systems

2. Threat Model

We developed an expanded threat model specifically for multi-agent systems that considers both external attackers and potentially compromised agents within the network. Our model accounts for:

2.1 External Threats

These include traditional network attackers who may attempt to eavesdrop on communications, inject malicious messages, or disrupt agent operations through denial-of-service attacks.

2.2 Internal Threats

More concerning are compromised agents within the system that may attempt to manipulate other agents, exfiltrate sensitive data, or sabotage operations while appearing legitimate.

3. Protocol Analysis

We evaluated seven leading secure communication protocols against our threat model, including:

3.1 TLS-based Agent Communication

While widely deployed, our analysis revealed significant vulnerabilities when applied to multi-agent systems, particularly in handling agent identity and authorization.

3.2 Zero-Knowledge Proof Systems

These protocols showed promise for agent authentication without revealing sensitive credentials, though with performance implications for resource-constrained environments.

3.3 Homomorphic Encryption Schemes

These allow agents to perform computations on encrypted data, enabling collaborative work without exposing sensitive information, though with significant computational overhead.

4. Proposed Framework: SecureAgentComm

Based on our findings, we propose SecureAgentComm, a layered security framework specifically designed for multi-agent systems that incorporates:

4.1 Distributed Identity Verification

A blockchain-based approach to agent identity management that eliminates single points of failure and provides tamper-evident credential verification.

4.2 Quantum-Resistant Encryption

Forward-looking encryption algorithms resistant to quantum computing attacks, ensuring long-term security for persistent agent communications.

4.3 Behavioral Authentication

Continuous authentication based on agent behavior patterns, allowing for rapid detection of compromised or impersonated agents.

5. Experimental Results

We implemented SecureAgentComm in a testbed environment with 500 simulated agents and conducted extensive security testing. Key findings include:

• 99.7% detection rate for compromised agents
• Latency overhead of only 12ms per secure transaction
• Successful resistance against all tested attack vectors
• Scalability to 10,000+ agents with linear performance degradation

6. Conclusion

SecureAgentComm represents a significant advancement in secure communications for multi-agent systems. Our research demonstrates that by addressing the unique security challenges of these systems, we can enable their safe deployment in even the most security-critical environments.