Secure Paging Encryption for Wireless Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack effective encryption of paging information, which compromises user privacy by revealing sensitive information such as traffic type and priority, making it vulnerable to interception and misuse.
Innovation Solution
Implementing encryption and decryption mechanisms for paging information using dynamic or fixed mappings between traffic types/priorities and indices, with shared keys, and integrity protection codes, specifically during registration procedures and radio access network updates, to ensure only the intended user equipment can decipher the information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If paging information is transmitted without encryption, then system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but user privacy is compromised and security is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming plaintext paging information into encrypted form using cryptographic parameters (encryption algorithms, keys, and initialization vectors). The paging information is encrypted at the network side using parameters such as KSI, 5G-S-TMSI, and NAS encryption keys, converting the data from a readable state to an encrypted state that protects user privacy while maintaining system functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If encryption mechanisms are implemented for paging information, then user privacy and security are improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing encryption keys and parameters during the registration procedure between the UE and the network. The NAS encryption key and other cryptographic parameters are configured in advance before paging operations occur. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for complex real-time key generation during paging, reducing processing overhead while maintaining strong security.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by deriving encryption parameters from existing identifiers such as 5G-S-TMSI and KSI (Key Set Identifier). Instead of managing completely separate encryption keys, the system copies and derives cryptographic material from already-established identification parameters, simplifying key management while ensuring secure encryption of paging information.
3Reliability
If encrypted paging information is used, then information security is improved, but difficulty of detecting and measuring paging information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by providing the UE with decryption parameters through the paging message itself or through previously established configurations. The UE receives encrypted paging information along with the necessary keys and parameters (such as KSI, 5G-S-TMSI, and NAS encryption keys) that enable it to decrypt the information. This feedback mechanism ensures that while the information is secure during transmission, the authorized device can successfully decrypt and process it.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for encrypting paging information transmitted to a user equipment (UE) in a paging message. In one aspect, a base station (BS) encrypts paging information and transmits a paging message to one of a UE or another BS for transmission to the UE. The paging message includes the encrypted paging information. A UE receives the paging message from a BS including the encrypted paging information. The UE decrypts the encrypted paging information to identify paging information, and determines whether to communicate with the BS based on the paging information. The paging information may be encrypted and the encrypted paging information decrypted based on information configured or obtained during at least one of a registration procedure or a radio access network (RAN)-based Notification Area Update (RNAU). Confidentiality of paging information in paging messages may thereby be improved.