This paper discusses the main issues regarding the reliability and the efficacy
of standard cryptographic techniques applied to pervasive computing. First of all,
we describe a set of scenarios, where social interactions are supported by smallsized
pervasive devices. These are expected to manage and exchange personal and
sensible information with context-specific requirements. We present a general
methodology that helps identifying the most suitable model for securing data
storage, processing and communication. Three protocols and systems are formally
described and compared in this framework, in respect of model’s complexity and
security capabilities.
