Home // ICDT 2011, The Sixth International Conference on Digital Telecommunications // View article

An Analysis of Secure Interoperation of EPC and Mobile Equipments

Authors:
Cristina-Elena Vintila
Victor-Valeriu Patriciu
Ion Bica

Keywords: SAE; EPC; AKA; EAP-AKA; HSS; J-PAKE; PKI; key management; security context

Abstract:
4G architecture is the latest 3GPP development when it comes to mobile networks design and optimization. Designed initially for data, but having a flexible architecture, 4G is capable of integrating IMS, this way bringing in voice and services. 3GPP wanted to facilitate the migration from 3G and non-3GPP solutions to the 4G design, therefore the core network components of 4G are capable of interacting with 3G core network devices, provided these ones have an interoperability feature. This way, even 3G or non-3GPP devices are capable of using the 4G services. Nevertheless, one of the biggest issues when interoperating these solutions and devices is the security aspect. This paper reviews some of the most common access methods and summarizes the security concerns that raise in each case. The 4G security design is a very powerful solution for authenticating the users, even though it has some shortcomings that can be addressed.

Pages: 1 to 6

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2011

Publication date: April 17, 2011

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-3964

ISBN: 978-1-61208-127-4

Location: Budapest, Hungary

Dates: from April 17, 2011 to April 22, 2011