Secure Cell Configuration Delivery for Zero-Trust Broadcast Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G and LTE communication systems are vulnerable to jamming and unauthorized access due to the open broadcast of cell configuration parameters, posing a significant risk in safety and security-oriented applications like government and military networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where cell configuration data is provided to authorized user equipment as a coded cell configuration package (CCCP) during configuration or while in a connected state, ensuring secure delivery and storage, thereby preventing unauthorized access and jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cell configuration parameters are broadcast openly in 5G/LTE systems, then network accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but security and vulnerability to jamming deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts cell configuration parameters from public broadcast channels and places them in a protected database accessible only through authenticated procedures. This separates the sensitive configuration data from open broadcast, maintaining network accessibility while eliminating vulnerability to jamming.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism between the UE and network configuration data. Instead of direct access to broadcast parameters, UEs must undergo authenticated procedures to retrieve configuration from the protected database, acting as a secure mediator that prevents unauthorized access while allowing legitimate connectivity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cell configuration data is provided securely through authenticated procedures, then security against jamming is improved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the authentication procedure with existing network registration and cell selection workflows. By integrating security authentication into standard operational procedures rather than adding separate complex steps, the system achieves strong security while minimizing perceived complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service authentication mechanisms where the UE automatically performs authenticated retrieval of configuration parameters without user intervention. The device handles the complex authentication procedures autonomously, maintaining user-friendly operation while ensuring secure access.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cell configuration parameters are removed from broadcast, then security is improved, but loss of information for emergency connections increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different quality levels of configuration data availability to different scenarios. Emergency connections receive a subset of essential configuration parameters through protected channels, while full configuration is available through authenticated procedures. This local differentiation maintains security while ensuring emergency service availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary authentication and configuration retrieval before emergency scenarios arise. By pre-establishing secure channels and storing essential configuration data in protected memory during normal operation, the system ensures that even in emergency situations, critical configuration information is already available without requiring complex real-time authentication.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for providing cell configuration parameters in a secure manner are provided. A method may include providing, from a network node, cell configuration or other cell sensitive data to the internal memory of an authorized user equipment. For example, the providing may include providing the cell configuration or other cell sensitive data to the memory of the authorized user equipment as coded cell configuration package (CCCP) tracking area update (TAU) data during the configuration of the authorized user equipment or while the authorized user equipment is in radio resource control (RRC) connected state with the network node.