Short message service communication security
First Claim
1. A secure SMS (short message service) communication system, comprising:
- a RAN (radio access network) for sending and receiving SMS messages to and from UE (user equipment) devices;
a network node in communication with the RAN, the network node comprising;
a network interface for receiving and forwarding SMS messages;
an SMS message recipient determiner for determining the intended recipient of the SMS message and whether the intended recipient supports SMS message encryption;
an SMS message encryption detector for detecting whether the received SMS message is encrypted; and
an SMS message encrypter/decrypter for selectively encrypting and decrypting SMS messages prior to forwarding to the intended recipient, wherein SMS messages received unencrypted are encrypted by the SMS message encrypter/decrypter if the intended recipient supports encryption, and wherein SMS messages received encrypted are decrypted by the SMS message encrypter/decrypter if the intended recipient does not support SMS message encryption.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system, method, and device for securely forwarding SMS messages in a communication system, for example in a communication system including an IMS network accessible to wireless devices via a radio access network. The communication system forwards SMS messages from a sending station to a receiving station via a network node. The network node, which may be an SMSC in an IMS network, is operable to determine whether the SMS message is encrypted and whether the intended recipient supports encryption, and then the network node selectively encrypts and decrypts received SMS messages prior to forwarding to the intended recipient; SMS messages received unencrypted are encrypted by the SMS message encrypter/decrypter if the intended recipient supports encryption, and SMS messages received encrypted are decrypted by the SMS message encrypter/decrypter if the intended recipient does not support SMS message encryption. SMS messages intended for a recipient determined not to support SMS message encryption may be stored in a holding database, and an alert send to the intended recipient, if the sender requires that the SMS message be sent only in encrypted form.
44 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A secure SMS (short message service) communication system, comprising:
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a RAN (radio access network) for sending and receiving SMS messages to and from UE (user equipment) devices; a network node in communication with the RAN, the network node comprising; a network interface for receiving and forwarding SMS messages; an SMS message recipient determiner for determining the intended recipient of the SMS message and whether the intended recipient supports SMS message encryption; an SMS message encryption detector for detecting whether the received SMS message is encrypted; and an SMS message encrypter/decrypter for selectively encrypting and decrypting SMS messages prior to forwarding to the intended recipient, wherein SMS messages received unencrypted are encrypted by the SMS message encrypter/decrypter if the intended recipient supports encryption, and wherein SMS messages received encrypted are decrypted by the SMS message encrypter/decrypter if the intended recipient does not support SMS message encryption. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of handling SMS messages in a communication system, comprising:
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receiving an SMS message in a communication-system node; determining the intended recipient of the SMS message; determining whether the intended recipient supports SMS message encryption; determining, if the intended recipient supports SMS message encryption and, if so, whether the intended recipient requires SMS message encryption; and detecting whether the received SMS message is encrypted; wherein prior to forwarding SMS messages to an intended recipient, SMS messages received unencrypted are encrypted by the node if the intended recipient requires encryption, and wherein SMS messages received encrypted are decrypted by the node if the intended recipient does not support SMS message encryption. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A network node for handling SMS messages in a communication system, comprising:
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a network interface for receiving and forwarding SMS messages; an SMS message recipient determiner for determining the intended recipient of the SMS message and whether the intended recipient supports or requires SMS message encryption; an SMS message encryption detector for detecting whether the received SMS message is encrypted; and an SMS message encrypter/decrypter for selectively encrypting and decrypting SMS messages, wherein SMS messages received unencrypted are encrypted by the SMS message encrypter/decrypter if the intended recipient requires encryption, and wherein SMS messages received encrypted are decrypted by the SMS message encrypter/decrypter if the intended recipient does not support SMS message encryption. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification