private pre-shared key (PPSK)

Private Pre-shared Keys (PPSK) are unique keys that are distributed to individual devices. These individually distributed PPSK keys are used to assign user rights, while at the same time allowing the functionality of the devices to be restricted.

The advantage of Private Pre-shared Keys is that in the event of unauthorized access to a device, the individual key of the device can be identified and destroyed. Hacked access is thus limited to a single action and cannot be used to access other devices. The PPSK method is interesting for the Internet of Things( IoT) because many devices have simple functionalities and hardly any mechanisms to protect the wireless network. Thus, hackers could easily hack these mechanisms and trigger uncontrolled home automation actions or obtain sensitive corporate data via connected devices. They could, if the key is distributed in advance, as with the pre-shared key( PSK), use it and extend their activities to the network.

The individually distributed PPSK network keys also have the advantages that the devices have limited rights and they can be better monitored.