IP-based radio access network implementation cost vs. network security trade-off

Abstract

The primary motivation for the evolution from proprietary networks to Internet Protocol (IP)-based radio access network (RAN) systems is cost savings in terms of both capital expenditures (CAPEX) and operating expenditures (OPEX). This evolution, however, given the open network environment, introduces new security threats. Such threats can result in significant potential costs that need to be mitigated through additional investments in security solutions. Finding the optimal balance between investment and potential security risk is a complex endeavor. This paper presents rendezvous point (RP), a method to find the optimal point for a balanced security solution. © 2007 Alcatel-Lucent.