Encrypted SIM Data Flows for Edge Network Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large scale deployment and provisioning of SIM data for communications devices, particularly in enterprise settings, is cumbersome and complex, increasing costs and complexity due to the need for provider-specific processes and secure management of SIM profiles.
Innovation Solution
A cloud service provider facilitates the secure acquisition, deployment, and management of SIM data by enabling encrypted flows between regions and edge networks, using secure storage and management of SIM keys at both the cloud service provider and customer's edge, leveraging 5G private MEC infrastructure for efficient network deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SIM data is securely transferred and stored using provider-specific processes, then security is improved, but deployment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud service provider as an intermediary that manages SIM data provisioning between the SIM provider and enterprise customers. This intermediary handles the complex secure transfer and storage processes, shielding customers from complexity while maintaining security. The cloud service provider acts as a mediator that simplifies the deployment process for enterprises while ensuring secure SIM data management through standardized interfaces and procedures.
2Reliability
If each device is individually provisioned with SIM profiles using provider-specific processes, then proper credentials are ensured, but provisioning time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary provisioning actions by pre-configuring SIM profiles in the cloud service provider's infrastructure before devices need them. The system prepares credential bundles in advance and makes them readily available for rapid deployment to multiple devices. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for time-consuming individual provisioning processes when devices are deployed to the enterprise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying mechanisms to replicate pre-configured SIM profiles across multiple devices simultaneously. Instead of individually provisioning each device, the system creates and distributes copies of validated credential bundles to multiple devices at once, dramatically reducing provisioning time while ensuring each device receives proper credentials through standardized template-based copying.
3Ease of operation
If SIM data is stored and managed at the deployment location, then local access is improved, but security management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments SIM data management into two distinct layers: secure centralized storage in the cloud service provider's infrastructure and local access capabilities at the enterprise deployment location. This segmentation allows enterprises to access SIM data locally for device provisioning while the cloud provider maintains secure centralized management and storage. The segmented architecture provides both local convenience and centralized security control without requiring enterprises to manage complex security infrastructure themselves.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of computing devices are provisioned configured to communicate on a mobile communications network operated, in part, by an edge computing network. The edge computing network is associated with a customer of a computing service provider. The edge computing network comprises computing and storage devices configured to extend computing resources of the computing service provider to the customer of the computing service provider. A selection is received of a SIM provider and a quantity of SIM profiles for enabling the plurality of computing devices to access the mobile communications network. SIM data corresponding to the quantity of SIM profiles is received. The SIM data is encrypted and received over an encrypted channel.