Edge Security Context Setup for Roaming Edge Computing Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing edge computing systems face challenges in establishing secure connections, particularly in roaming scenarios where dependency on the home network for security keys is not feasible, leading to limitations in enabling edge applications.
Innovation Solution
Introduce an Edge Inter-Working Function (EIWF) in the 3GPP core network to handle security aspects, allowing secure connections for Edge Configuration Server (ECS) and the Edge Enabler Server (EES), using pre-configured security mechanisms for authentication and interface security based on edge computing service deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional cloud-based architectures are used for edge computing services, then centralized control and security management are simplified, but network latency increases and data privacy concerns arise due to data transmission to centralized clouds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized cloud architecture into distributed edge nodes, where each edge device or gateway maintains local control capabilities while participating in a coordinated security framework. This segmentation reduces network latency by enabling local decision-making at edge nodes while maintaining overall system security through distributed trust mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces mutual authentication mechanisms as intermediaries between edge devices and cloud services. These authentication protocols enable secure communication without requiring constant data transmission to centralized clouds, thereby reducing latency while maintaining security through cryptographic verification at the edge.
2Device complexity
If data is transmitted to centralized clouds for processing, then centralized security management is easier, but data privacy and security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary mutual authentication actions before data transmission occurs. Edge devices and cloud services exchange authentication credentials and establish security contexts in advance, enabling secure data processing at the edge without requiring subsequent data transmission to centralized clouds, thus preventing data privacy risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables edge devices to perform self-authentication and self-managed security operations using distributed trust mechanisms. Each edge device maintains its own security credentials and can independently verify the authenticity of cloud services, eliminating the need for centralized data storage and reducing data privacy risks.
3Productivity
If edge devices communicate with cloud services without mutual authentication, then communication is simpler and faster, but security vulnerabilities and unauthorized access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs mutual authentication as a preliminary action before establishing communication between edge devices and cloud services. Authentication credentials are exchanged and verified in advance, allowing subsequent communication to proceed at full speed without repeated authentication overhead, thus maintaining both productivity and security reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where authentication results are cached and reused for subsequent communications. Once mutual authentication is established, the system maintains security context information that enables fast reconnection and communication without re-authentication, balancing security reliability with communication productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of establishing a secure connection for edge computing services in a wireless network is provided. The method includes performing, by a UE, a primary network access authentication with a first network entity in a wireless network, detecting a trigger for configuring edge computing services in response to a successful primary network access authentication, sending an initial security context establishment request to an Edge Configuration Server (ECS), wherein the request comprises a plurality of security context related parameters, receiving an initial security context establishment status from the ECS indicating a successful context establishment based on the successful establishment of the authentication key by the ECS, and establishing a secure connection with the ECS in response to determining that the initial security context establishment response is successful.