GSM SECURITY FOR PACKET DATA NETWORKS

摘要

In a communication system methods and apparatus that apply GSM security principles to authenticate users who are requesting access to packet data networks are provided. The authentication process is triggered by an authenticating entity when it needs to verify the identity of a user trying to access certain resources, e.g., an application of a network. The authenticating entity sends an authentication request to an authentication server. The authentication server checks whether the user's identity corresponds to a known user. If so, the authentication server generates an authentication token that is sent to the user via an access network and a remote host. The authentication server uses a secure communication link, via a wireless network, to request the user to send the authentication token back to the authentication server via the secure communication link over a public land mobile network. Once the user sends the authentication token back to the authentication server via the secure channel, the authentication server compares the authentication token sent to the user and received from the user through the secure communication link. If the authentication tokens match, the authentication server instructs the authenticating entity to grant the user access to the requested services. If the authentication tokens do not match, the user will be denied access to the requested services.