Method for determining the security status of transmissions in a telecommunications network

• US 6,959,184 B1
• Filed: 06/30/1999
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Paulson, William Brohmer, Lassig, Mark Alan, Byers, Charles Calvin, Posthuma, Carl Robert, Miller, Steven Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Trost, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le, Danh C
• Application Number:
  US09/343,823
• Time in Patent Office: 2,309 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 343/357.1, 380/201, 713/201, 370/352, 370/354, 370/356, 709/225
• US Class Current: 455/410
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/609 Secret communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/205 Eavesdropping prevention - indication of insecurity of line or network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2254 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

A method for determining the security level associated with transmissions in a telecommunications network includes means for alerting parties of the security status of the transmission. When a route interconnecting the parties includes an insecure link, an alert is provided so that the parties are aware of the insecure nature of the call before communications begin. Alternatively, the parties may elect to decline or alter content of the communications to preserve integrity.

Claims

1. A method for providing secure transmissions in a telecommunications network comprising the steps of:

establishing a route from an originating network node to a terminating network node;

determining whether at least a portion of the route includes a link that does not send or receive private or encrypted information or that uses facilities not absolutely controlled by a network provider; and

responsive to the step of determining whether at least a portion of the route includes said link and prior to connection to said terminating network node, providing an alert of a security status of the route to a calling party using the originating network node

issuing the alert when a previously secure route becomes insecure; and

wherein providing the alert includes issuing a message on an identification display associated with one of a station associated with the terminating network node and the calling party.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

completing a call after the alert has been provided.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the alert includes issuing a distinctive ring at a station associated with the terminating network node.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the alert includes providing an audible voice message.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the alert includes using an audible tone.

6. The method of claims 4 or 5 wherein providing the alert includes providing a periodic alert.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the alert includes a query screen on a personal computer.

8. A method for providing secure transmissions in a telecommunications network comprising the steps of:

a. establishing a route from a calling party to a called party;

b. determining whether at least a portion of the route includes a link that does not send or receive private or encrypted information or that uses facilities not absolutely controlled by a network provider;

c. responsive to a positive result in said determining step, further determining whether a secure connection may be established between said calling party and said called party; and

d. responsive to a positive result in said determining step and a negative result in said further determining step, providing an alert of a nature of the route to said calling party;

e. responsive to a positive result in said determining step and a negative result in said further determining step, establishing a new route between said calling party and said called party.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said telecommunications network includes at least one intermediate node in said route from said calling party to said called party, and wherein step c. thereof further comprises the step of:

transmitting a message including a security status request through each of said at least one intermediate node.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said telecommunications network includes at least one intermediate node in said route from said calling party to said called party, and wherein step c. thereof further comprises the step of:

for each of said at least one intermediate node, if such node is insecure, receiving a message indicating such node is insecure.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

f. establishing a secure connection between said calling party and said called party.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of:

e. establishing a connection between said calling party and said called party despite a determination that a secure connection cannot be established.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein said alert is provided to said calling party, and the method further comprises the steps of:

e. receiving authorization from said calling party, after said calling party has received said alert, to maintain a connection between said calling party and said called party.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein said alert is provided to said calling party, and further comprises the steps of:

f. receiving authorization from said calling party, after said calling party has received said alert, to establish a connection between said calling party and said called party over the new route.