eUICC Profile Management via Ephemeral Key Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional UICCs are manufactured for specific mobile communication operators, making it difficult to manage and install authentication information for various operators, especially when users switch or need to embed security modules in devices like M2M devices without user intervention.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for remotely installing a profile on a UICC or eUICC using ephemeral asymmetric key pairs for secure authentication and encryption, allowing for flexible management of authentication information across different mobile communication operators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional UICCs are manufactured as dedicated cards for specific mobile communication operators, then authentication information for that operator is securely installed, but it becomes difficult to manage and install authentication information for various operators, especially when users switch operators or need to embed security modules in devices without user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The UICC is designed with a profile manager that can handle multiple operator profiles and authentication mechanisms within a single card. The system supports downloading and installing profiles from different operators through standardized interfaces, making the UICC universally compatible across multiple operators without requiring dedicated manufacturing for each operator.
Solution Approach 2:
A profile manager acts as an intermediary component within the UICC that handles the complexity of profile download, installation, and management. This intermediary layer provides standardized interfaces for terminal devices to interact with multiple operator profiles, shielding users from the underlying complexity while enabling versatile operator support.
2Extent of automation
If profile download and installation processes are implemented without pre-established secure channels, then flexibility and automation are improved, but security risks increase due to potential unauthorized access or tampering
Solution Approach 1:
Secure channels and authentication mechanisms are established before the profile download process begins. The terminal and UICC perform mutual authentication and set up encrypted communication channels in advance, ensuring that subsequent automated profile downloads and installations occur over secure, authenticated connections that prevent unauthorized access or tampering.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile manager implements feedback mechanisms that monitor and verify the integrity of profile download and installation processes. Authentication status, encryption verification, and profile integrity checks provide continuous feedback to ensure security requirements are met throughout the automated process, allowing the system to detect and respond to potential security threats.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-Generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates Beyond 4th-Generation (4G) communication system such as Long Term Evolution (LTE). A method for downloading profiles in a terminal in a wireless communication system include generating and storing an encryption key at a time point, loading the stored encryption key, when receiving profile download start information from a profile providing server, and downloading an encrypted profile for the electronic device from the profile providing server, via the loaded encryption key, and installing the encrypted profile in the electronic device.