Method and apparatus for providing broadcast channel encryption to enhance cellular network security
First Claim
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1. A method for encrypting a broadcast message of a base station, the method comprising:
- detecting, by a processor of the base station, a communication impairment at the base station, wherein the communication impairment pertains to a communication between the base station and an endpoint device;
selecting, by the processor of the base station, in response to the detecting the communication impairment, an encryption key for the broadcast message;
encrypting, by the processor of the base station, the broadcast message using the encryption key to create an encrypted broadcast message;
transmitting, by the processor of the base station, an identifier of the encryption key;
transmitting, by the processor of the base station, the encrypted broadcast message over a control channel via a first resource block, wherein the broadcast message includes information identifying that the control channel is to be reassigned from the first resource block to a second resource block; and
reassigning, by the processor of the base station, the control channel of the base station from the first resource block to the second resource block.
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Abstract
A method, computer-readable storage device and apparatus for encrypting a broadcast message of a base station are disclosed. For example, the method selects an encryption key for the broadcast message and encrypts the broadcast message using the encryption key to create an encrypted broadcast message. The method then transmits an identifier of the encryption key and transmits the encrypted broadcast message over a broadcast channel. A method for decrypting a broadcast message that is encrypted is also disclosed.
27 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for encrypting a broadcast message of a base station, the method comprising:
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detecting, by a processor of the base station, a communication impairment at the base station, wherein the communication impairment pertains to a communication between the base station and an endpoint device; selecting, by the processor of the base station, in response to the detecting the communication impairment, an encryption key for the broadcast message; encrypting, by the processor of the base station, the broadcast message using the encryption key to create an encrypted broadcast message; transmitting, by the processor of the base station, an identifier of the encryption key; transmitting, by the processor of the base station, the encrypted broadcast message over a control channel via a first resource block, wherein the broadcast message includes information identifying that the control channel is to be reassigned from the first resource block to a second resource block; and reassigning, by the processor of the base station, the control channel of the base station from the first resource block to the second resource block. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by a processor of a base station, cause the processor to perform operations for encrypting a broadcast message of the base station, the operations comprising:
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detecting a communication impairment at the base station, wherein the communication impairment pertains to a communication between the base station and an endpoint device; selecting, in response to the detecting the communication impairment, an encryption key for the broadcast message; encrypting the broadcast message using the encryption key to create an encrypted broadcast message; transmitting an identifier of the encryption key; transmitting the encrypted broadcast message over a control channel via a first resource block, wherein the broadcast message includes information identifying that the control channel is to be reassigned from the first resource block to a second resource block; and reassigning the control channel of the base station from the first resource block to the second resource block. - View Dependent Claims (12, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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13. A method for decrypting a broadcast message of a base station that is encrypted, the method comprising:
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receiving, by a processor of an endpoint device, an identifier of an encryption key for the broadcast message; receiving, by the processor, the broadcast message that is encrypted, wherein the broadcast message is encrypted with the encryption key, wherein the broadcast message that is encrypted is received over a control channel from the base station via a first resource block, wherein the broadcast message includes information identifying that a reassigning of the control channel to a second resource block is to be performed, the information identifying the reassigning that is to be performed in response to detection of a communication impairment at the base station, wherein the communication impairment pertains to a communication between the base station and the endpoint device; retrieving, by the processor, the encryption key using the identifier of the encryption key; decrypting, by the processor, the broadcast message that is encrypted using the encryption key; retrieving, by the processor from the broadcast message, the information identifying that the control channel is to be reassigned to the second resource block; and accessing, by the processor, control information from the control channel via the second resource block. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification