Security Challenges in Seamless Mobility: How to "Handover" the Keys?

In this paper, we discuss key management challenges for seamless handovers across heterogeneous wireless networks. We focus on fast access authentication protocols that allow expedited network entry by utilizing existing keying material from previous access authentications. For a seamless handover,... See full abstract

In this paper, we discuss key management challenges for seamless handovers across heterogeneous wireless networks. We focus on fast access authentication protocols that allow expedited network entry by utilizing existing keying material from previous access authentications. For a seamless handover, keys must be available at the target network at the time of the handover. This paper identifies the challenges of securely deriving and timely distributing such keys. We discuss solutions for intra and inter-technology handovers within the same network and between networks with roaming agreements. The presented solutions include different types of handover key hierarchies and key distribution protocols. In addition, we analyze the security performance trade-offs of the discussed solutions.
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