Network Slice Quantum Protection Level Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing adoption of 5G technology in cellular networks poses challenges in ensuring resilience against classical and quantum computer attacks, particularly in maintaining the security of network slices used for critical applications like remote surgery and autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a network slice management function that receives a request for a network slice with a specified quantum protection level (QPL) and allocates network components with component QPLs matching or exceeding the specified slice QPL, ensuring end-to-end quantum-resistant security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If quantum-resistant technology is deployed across the entire network to protect against quantum computer attacks, then security against quantum attacks is improved, but network complexity and deployment difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different network slices to have different quantum protection levels (QPL) based on their specific security requirements. Critical services like remote surgery and autonomous vehicles receive quantum-resistant protection, while less critical services use conventional security, avoiding the need to deploy quantum-resistant technology across the entire network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network into multiple slices with different security requirements. Each slice can be independently configured with appropriate quantum protection levels, allowing selective deployment of quantum-resistant technology only where necessary, thereby reducing overall network complexity while maintaining security for critical services.
2Adaptability or versatility
If network slices are created for diverse vertical services with different security requirements, then service versatility is improved, but managing security across multiple slices becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces quantum protection level (QPL) as a configurable parameter that can be assigned to different network slices based on their security requirements. This parameter-driven approach allows the system to automatically manage security configurations across multiple slices without manual intervention, simplifying security management while supporting diverse services.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal security management framework that handles multiple network slices with different security requirements through a single standardized interface. The network slice management function can uniformly process slice creation, security configuration, and resource allocation requests regardless of the specific service type, reducing management complexity.
3Reliability
If quantum-resistant technology is implemented for all network components, then end-to-end security is improved, but resource allocation flexibility and cost efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements quantum-resistant technology locally only in network components and slices that require it, rather than universally across all components. This selective deployment ensures end-to-end security for critical services while avoiding the waste of resources on non-critical services, thereby maintaining resource allocation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing quantum-resistant protection only to the extent necessary for each network slice's security requirements. Critical services receive full quantum-resistant protection, while less critical services receive conventional security, optimizing the balance between security and resource efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (100) for operating a network slice management function configured to manage a network slice of a cellular network. The method comprises: receiving (102) a request for a network slice, the request including a specified end-to-endslice quantum protection level, QPL, for the network slice; requesting (104), from a security management entity of the cellular network, allocation of network components having component QPLs at least equal to the specified slice QPL, a component QPL being indicative of a level of security, against an attack operated by a quantum computer, provided to the network component by quantum-resistant technologywhen the network component is using the quantum-resistant technology; receiving (106), from the security management entity, information identifying allocated network components; and instantiating (108) the network slice using network components of the allocated network components.