Soft SIM Credential Transfer Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional over-the-air SIM transfer techniques do not provide a complete or secure transfer of SIM subscription credentials, and the cost of hardware-based SIM cards is prohibitive for low-cost mobile devices, while future standards may not require actual hardware implementation.
Innovation Solution
A process for securely transferring soft SIM credentials from one mobile device to another, ensuring only one device has active credentials at a time, either directly or via a network server, using peer-to-peer or network-assisted methods with secure authentication and deactivation processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional over-the-air SIM transfer techniques are used, then some personal information can be transferred, but complete and secure SIM subscription credential transfer is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
A network server acts as an intermediary to facilitate secure SIM credential transfer. The server receives authentication credentials from the target device, communicates with the home location register to verify and transfer credentials, and coordinates the deactivation at the source device. This intermediary approach ensures both security and completeness of the transfer process.
Solution Approach 2:
The target device performs preliminary authentication by sending its identifier and security credentials to the network server before the actual credential transfer occurs. The network server preliminarily verifies these credentials with the home location register to ensure the target device is authorized to receive SIM credentials, preventing unauthorized transfers.
2Reliability
If hardware-based SIM cards are used, then security functions are ensured, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hardware SIM card system with a software-based credential system. Instead of requiring physical SIM cards with embedded security elements, the system uses software-stored credentials that are transferred and activated through network-based authentication and cryptographic verification, eliminating the need for expensive hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and transfers digital copies of SIM subscription credentials between devices through secure network communication. Rather than requiring unique physical hardware for each device, the credential data can be securely copied and activated on different devices, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining security through cryptographic protection.
3Productivity
If soft SIM credentials are transferred without deactivation at source, then transfer speed increases, but security is compromised as multiple devices could have active credentials
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by deactivating the SIM credentials at the source device as part of the transfer process. The network server coordinates this deactivation to ensure that when credentials are activated at the target device, the source device no longer has active credentials, preventing duplicate activation and maintaining security exclusivity.
Data Source
AI summary
The method and apparatus described herein transfers soft SIM credentials from a transferring mobile device to a target mobile device while ensuring that only one mobile device contains active soft SIM credentials at a time. Broadly, a transferring mobile device securely transfers the soft SIM credentials to a target mobile device either directly or via a network server. Before the target mobile device receives or activates the soft SIM credentials, the transferring mobile device deactivates the soft SIM credentials to ensure that only one mobile device contains the active soft SIM credentials.