On the applications of big data and wireless technologies for smart cities

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Future connected cities will rely on wireless networks of sensors and computers, distributed throughout large geographical areas, to collect information and interact with the physical world. They are expected to bring significant benefits to companies, citizens, hospitals and many more, by providing them additional knowledge to make informed decisions, and unified portals for easier access to services.However, such Smart Cities face several challenges that must be addressed before they can reach widespread adoption. This research project will focus on two important aspects of Smart Cities: how to efficiently analyze the vast amounts of data they produce, and how to secure them against various attacks. Specifically, the research will be divided into three sub-projects that we have identified with our industrial partner: 1) designing algorithms to identify points of interest in all the data collected, that can analyze large amounts of such data in reasonable time, 2) ensuring the resilience of wireless networks against attackers that attempt to disrupt their operation, and 3) ensuring the end-to-end security of over-the-air information transmissions.For the first part, we plan to research and develop algorithms that can identify points of interest in this information, and analyze the trade-off that exists between speed and accuracy as we modify search constraints. Then, for the second and third parts, we will explore potential attacks on wireless networks and the data that is transmitted through them, to ensure that our industrial partner's platform is secure in the short term, and will continue to be secure once they migrate their infrastructure to fifth-generation wireless networks.Overall, this research will benefit Smart Cities throughout Canada. It will improve their efficiency, resilience and security, so that they can in turn improve the lives of Canadians.