Security architectures for B3G mobile networks

Abstract

This paper analyzes the security architectures employed in the interworking model that integrates third-generation (3G) mobile networks and Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), materializing Beyond 3G (B3G) networks. Currently, B3G networks are deployed using two different access scenarios (i.e., WLAN Direct Access and WLAN 3GPP IP Access), each of which incorporates a specific security architecture that aims at protecting the involved parties and the data exchanged among them. These architectures consist of various security protocols that provide mutual authentication (i.e., user and network authentication), as well as confidentiality and integrity services to the data sent over the air interface of the deployed WLANs and specific parts of the core network. The strengths and weaknesses of the applied security measures are elaborated on the basis of the security services that they provide. In addition, some operational and performance issues that derives from the application of these measures in B3G networks are outlined. Finally, based on the analysis of the two access scenarios and the security architecture that each one employs, this paper presents a comparison of them, which aims at highlighting the deployment advantages of each scenario and classifying them in terms of: a) security, b) mobility, and c) reliability.