Systems and methods for context-aware and profile-based security in a network of moving things, for example including autonomous vehicles

1. A system for providing secure communications in a network of moving things, the system comprising:

at least one hardware module operable to, at least: receive vehicle context information for a vehicle comprising a Mobile Access Point (MAP);

select a secure communication profile for a communication based on the received vehicle context information, wherein: the secure communication profile corresponds to one of a plurality of different security levels; and

the secure communication profile defines for each network node one or more security-related actions and/or parameters applicable under one or more pre-set operation conditions; and

manage performance of the communication in accordance with the selected secure communication profile, wherein the managing comprises:

determining based on the selected secure communication profile, one or more corresponding security-related actions for securing communication via the Mobile Access Point (MAP), wherein the security related actions comprise applying at least one security measure during the communication;

determining for each security-related action, one or more corresponding conditions or criteria for applying the security-related action; and

when the one or more conditions or criteria are met, performing the corresponding security-related action.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle context information comprises information indicating a location of the vehicle.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle context information comprises information indicating a speed of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle context information comprises information indicating an anticipated route of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle context information comprises information regarding a passenger of the vehicle.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle context information comprises information regarding a personal electronic device of a passenger of the vehicle.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one hardware module is operable to: receive second vehicle context information for a second vehicle comprising a second Mobile Access Point (MAP); and select the secure communication profile for the communication based, at least in part, on the received second vehicle context information.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one hardware module is operable to receive the vehicle context information from a sensor on-board the vehicle.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one hardware module is operable to receive the vehicle context information from a vehicle navigation system.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one hardware module is operable to receive the vehicle context information from a database external to the vehicle.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the secure communication profile comprises adjusting a speed and/or route of the vehicle.

12. A system for providing secure communications in a network of moving things, the system comprising: at least one hardware module operable to, at least:

receive vehicle context information for a vehicle comprising a Mobile Access Point (MAP);

receive node status information for the MAP;

select a secure communication profile for a communication based on the received vehicle context information, and the received node status information, wherein:

the secure communication profile corresponds to one of a plurality of different security levels; and

the secure communication profile defines for each network node one or more security-related actions and/or parameters applicable under one or more pre-set operation conditions; and

manage performance of the communication in accordance with the selected secure communication profile, wherein the managing comprises:

determining based on the selected secure communication profile, one or more corresponding security-related actions for securing communication via the Mobile Access Point (MAP), wherein the security related actions comprise applying at least one security measure during the communication;

determining for each security-related action, one or more corresponding conditions or criteria for applying the security-related action; and

when the one or more conditions or criteria are met, performing the corresponding security-related action.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the node status information comprises status information for the MAP.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the node status information comprises status information for a node with which the MAP is communicating.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the node status information comprises information about wireless communication conditions.

16. The system of claim 12 , wherein the node status information comprises information about node processing capability.

17. The system of claim 12 , wherein the node status information comprises information about available communication bandwidth.

18. The system of claim 12 , wherein the at least one hardware module is operable to receive the node status information from a central database.

19. A system for providing secure communications in a network of moving things, the system comprising: at least one hardware module operable to, at least:

while a first portion of a communication between a Mobile Access Point (MAP) and another node is being performed in accordance with a first secure communication profile, receive vehicle context information for a vehicle comprising the MAP;

select, a second secure communication profile, different from the first secure communication profile for a second portion of the communication based on the received vehicle context information, wherein each secure communication profile:

corresponds to one of a plurality of different security levels; and defines for each network node one or more security-related actions and/or parameters applicable under one or more pre-set operation conditions; and

manage performance of the second portion of the communication in accordance with the selected second secure communication profile, wherein the managing comprises:

determining based on the selected secure communication profile, one or more corresponding security-related actions for securing communication via the Mobile Access Point (MAP), wherein the security related actions comprise applying at least one security measure during the communication;

determining for each security-related action, one or more corresponding conditions or criteria for applying the security-related action; and

when the one or more conditions or criteria are met, performing the corresponding security-related action.

20. The system of claim 19 , wherein the vehicle context information comprises information indicating an actual route of the vehicle.

21. The system of claim 19 , wherein the vehicle context information comprises information indicating an anticipated route of the vehicle.

22. The system of claim 19 , wherein the vehicle context information comprises information regarding a passenger of the vehicle and/or a user device of a passenger of the vehicle.

23. The system of claim 19 , wherein the at least one hardware module is operable to: receive node status information for the MAP; and select the second secure communication profile for the second portion of the communication based, at least in part, on the received node status information.

24. The system of claim 23 , wherein the node status information comprises status information for the MAP and for a node with which the MAP is communicating.

25. The system of claim 19 , wherein the second secure communication profile comprises adjusting a speed and/or route of the vehicle.