Wireless Communications Security

2Security of Wireless Systems

2.1 Overview

This chapter describes the security architecture of the most relevant modern wireless and mobile systems, with the main weight on 3GPP and IEEE 802 networks. The security aspects of satellite systems, special systems represented by TETRA and broadcast networks are discussed, as well as local wireless connectivity. Practical examples are presented that identify potential security threats and also methods for protecting confidentiality of the mobile communications. The examples include user actions like calls and messaging, as well as operator‐related functions like subscription management. This chapter also gives an overview of security aspects in the interoperability and interworking of the networks, including 3GPP networks, non‐3GPP networks and related Wi‐Fi Offload.

2.1.1 Overall Security Considerations in the Mobile Environment

The data services of current mobile communications networks are increasingly based on packet connectivity. This has greatly enhanced the efficiency of the cellular connections, providing superior user experiences compared to the preceding solutions that were based on circuit‐switched techniques. At the same time, as the current mobile services are comparable to the principles of the Internet, so have similar types of security threats increased. It can be generalized that the security breaches familiar from the public Internet are in many ways relevant in mobile communications, and thus require similar protection ...