Optimizing of cyber security of Precision Time Protocol (PTP) on Ethernet for ARM based CPU

Abstract

In this thesis, the properties of Precision Time Protocol (PTP) are analyzed and its network capabilities are examined. Considering the fact that PTP by default does not provide suitable means for encrypted communication, it is required to use an external protocol in order to provide required security for PTP messages. This thesis provides the selection and implementation of different security protocols to be used with PTP which also includes their specific configuration and modification. The thesis further tests the behavior of PTP under different security protocols, using an automatized measurement tool, and analyses the effect on PTP in order to determine the most suitable security protocol. Based on the obtained results the thesis concludes the most optimal security protocol to be a patched version of Macsec, as it affects the capabilities and functionalities of PTP to the least extent.