Secure Network Slices with Enhanced X.509 Certificates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network communication systems lack robust security measures to ensure trust and integrity of data transmission across multiple operator networks, especially in shared virtual and cloud environments, where sensitive data may be compromised due to unverified network elements and malicious actors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of 'Secure Network Slices' using enhanced X.509 Digital Certificates with additional metadata attributes such as manufacturer provenance, geographical location, and security policies to validate and assure the trustworthiness of physical and virtual network elements, ensuring secure encrypted sessions and secure network paths across multiple domains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional routing and forwarding methods are used that rely only on destination L2 or L3 addresses, then network simplicity and ease of operation are maintained, but security and trust assurance of network elements are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary validation of network elements by verifying digital certificates and metadata attributes (manufacturer, location, model) before allowing packets to traverse through them. This advance verification ensures that only trusted network elements are used for forwarding sensitive data, resolving the contradiction by establishing security prerequisites before data transmission begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary validation mechanism that acts as a mediator between the source and destination. This intermediary system verifies the trustworthiness of transit network elements by checking their digital certificates and metadata, thereby enabling security assurance without requiring complex changes to the underlying routing infrastructure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shared virtual and cloud networks are used to provide flexibility and reduced operational cost, then network adaptability and ease of manufacture are improved, but security risks increase due to unverified network elements and malicious actors
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by implementing security validation specifically for shared virtual and cloud network environments where risks exist. Rather than requiring security measures in all network configurations, the patent selectively validates network elements in shared environments, maintaining flexibility while mitigating security risks in vulnerable areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the security parameter from binary (trusted/untrusted) to a multi-dimensional assessment including manufacturer, geographical location, model number, and software version. This parameter expansion enables differentiated security validation that adapts to the specific characteristics of shared network elements, allowing flexible deployment while maintaining security through detailed verification.
3Ease of operation
If network elements from unverified sources are allowed to maintain network availability and ease of operation, then operational flexibility is improved, but trust assurance and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by enabling network elements to automatically present and validate their own digital certificates and metadata attributes. Network elements independently verify their trustworthiness credentials without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining operational availability while ensuring trust assurance through automated verification processes.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of configuring, managing and ensuring security compliance of Virtual Network Slices that transit through physical networks, virtual networks (SDN), cloud networks, radio access networks, service provider networks, and enterprise networks are identified. The methods include user side security validation methods while attempting to use a network slice for a specific service, and security validation of physical or virtual networks and the associated transit network elements. The methods disclose enriching the Security Certificates with policy parameters and the associated procedures that transit elements are required to assure for security compliance. Additionally, methods for incorporating a mobile native security platform in Wireless Mobile Network (4G/5G) that supports generating X.509 Certificates enhanced with policy requirements, validating allowed/disallowed list of transit network vendor devices, virtual network appliances are identified.