Selective Data Ciphering in Wireless Communication Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face security risks due to the use of a single ciphering key for both secure and non-secure data, making it difficult to fully secure communication systems, especially with the advent of cheap computing power that can break ciphers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows for selective ciphering of secure and non-secure data using different ciphering modes, where the network can dynamically control the ciphering of non-secure data on both uplink and downlink, and wireless terminals can receive indications to configure their processing accordingly, thereby reducing processing overhead and enhancing security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If both secure data and non-secure data are ciphered using the same ciphering key, then processing is simplified, but security of secure data is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ciphering operation into two distinct modes: a first ciphering mode for secure data and a second ciphering mode for non-secure data. The network dynamically indicates which mode to use for each data transmission, allowing the system to simplify processing for non-secure data while maintaining strong security for secure data through separate ciphering approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching between ciphering modes based on the security requirements of the data being transmitted. The network can dynamically indicate to the wireless terminal whether to apply the first ciphering mode (for secure data) or the second ciphering mode (for non-secure data), enabling adaptive security processing that balances simplicity and security based on real-time needs
2Reliability
If ciphering is always applied to all data, then security is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ciphering selectively rather than universally. The second ciphering mode is designed for non-secure data where full ciphering overhead is unnecessary. By using the second mode for non-secure data and only the first mode for secure data, the system reduces overall processing overhead while maintaining adequate security for data that requires it
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the ciphering parameters dynamically based on data security requirements. The network indicates to the wireless terminal which ciphering mode to use, effectively changing the processing parameters from always-full-ciphering to selective-ciphering, thereby reducing processing overhead for non-secure data while maintaining security for secure data
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, methods, and systems capable of an enabling transmission and receipt of secure and non-secure data are discussed in this document. According to some embodiments, a network apparatus can transmit ciphered and unciphered data. The network apparatus transmits a first signal indicating a cipher to be used and transmits a second signal indicating that non-secure data is to be transmitted and received unciphered. The network apparatus can cipher secure data and transmits ciphered-secure data and unciphered-non-secure data. A wireless terminal can receive the first and second signals, the ciphered secure data, and the unciphered non-secure data. The wireless terminal can deciphers the received secure data and does not decipher the received non-secure data. System embodiments can include both network-side and network terminal components. Embodiments of the present invention enable secure transmission of data in concert with efficient processing. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.