Secure authentication in heterogeneous wireless networks

Issue title: Mobile Systems and Applications

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Durresi, Arjan | Durresi, Mimoza | Barolli, Leonard

Affiliations: Indiana University Purdue University, 723 W. Michigan St. SL 280M, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA | Fukuoka Institute of Technology, 3-30-1 Wajiro-Higashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 811-0295, Japan

Note: [] Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 317 274 8942; E-mail: durresi@cs.iupui.edu

Abstract: The convergence of cellular and IP technologies has pushed the integration of 3G and WLAN networks to the forefront. Gaining secure access to 3G services from 802.11 WLANs is a primary challenge for this new integrated wireless technology. Successful execution of 3G security algorithms can be limited to a specified area by encrypting a user's authentication challenge with spatial data defining his visited WLAN. With limited capacity to determine a user's location only to within a current cell and restrictions on accessing users' location due to privacy, 3G operators must rely on spatial data sent from visited WLANs to implement spatial authentication control. A potential risk is presented to 3G operators since no prior relationship or trust may exist with a WLAN owner. Algorithms to quantify the trust between all parties of 3G-WLAN integrated networks are presented to further secure user authentication. Ad-hoc serving networks and the trust relationships established between mobile users are explored to define stronger algorithms for 3G – WLAN user authentication.

Journal: Mobile Information Systems, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 119-130, 2008