RRC Inactive State Secure Communication via Anchor Key Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile communication, ensuring the security of the air interface and reducing air interface signaling overheads when a terminal transitions from a connected state to a third or inactive state is challenging, particularly during initial communication with a serving base station.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a serving device receiving a terminal identifier from the terminal, sending it along with a wireless configuration parameter to an anchor device, and then encrypting this parameter using a key shared between the terminal and the anchor device, thereby eliminating the need for new key negotiation and encryption by the serving device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal negotiates a new key with the serving device and the serving device uses the new key to encrypt the wireless configuration parameter, then the security of air interface transmission is ensured, but the air interface signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor device performs key preparation in advance by obtaining the wireless configuration parameter and encrypting it using a pre-shared key with the terminal before the terminal communicates with the serving device. This preliminary encryption action eliminates the need for new key negotiation between the terminal and serving device, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor device acts as an intermediary that prepares and encrypts the wireless configuration parameter using a key it shares with the terminal. This intermediary approach allows the serving device to receive already-encrypted parameters without needing to negotiate keys directly with the terminal, thus reducing air interface signaling while ensuring security
2Loss of information
If the serving device uses an existing key to encrypt the wireless configuration parameter, then the air interface signaling overhead is reduced, but the security of transmission may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor device serves as a trusted intermediary that holds and uses the shared key to encrypt the wireless configuration parameter. This approach maintains security because the encryption is performed by a trusted entity (the anchor device) that has the proper key, while still reducing signaling overhead since no new key negotiation is needed between the terminal and serving device
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of this application provides a communications method. The method includes: generating, by an first base station, a radio resource control release message on which encryption and integrity protection are performed by using a new key; and sending, by the first base station, the radio resource control release message to a second base station, thereby improving security of communication between the serving device and the terminal and reducing signaling overheads for performing key negotiation over an air interface.