5GS Data Collection Key Coordination for Secure Messaging

The patent introduces a Data Collection Coordination Function (DCCF) as an intermediary entity that manages encryption and integrity keys between data consumers and data producers. The DCCF receives subscription requests, determines appropriate keys, and distributes them to relevant parties without exposing the key management complexity to end systems. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by enabling secure encrypted transmission while centralizing key management responsibilities.

The patent implements selective key distribution where only specific entities (data consumers and data producers) receive the encryption and integrity keys they need, rather than distributing keys to all messaging framework entities. The DCCF determines which entities require keys based on their roles in data collection and transmission. This localized approach to key distribution maintains data security while minimizing key management overhead.

The patent performs encryption and integrity protection operations in advance during the subscription setup phase, where the DCCF distributes keys to data consumers and producers before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary key distribution allows subsequent data transmissions to use efficient symmetric encryption rather than requiring complex key negotiation during each transmission event, thereby maintaining confidentiality while minimizing processing overhead during active data collection.