Method and apparatus for providing broadcast channel encryption to enhance cellular network security
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorROGER PIQUERAS JOVER
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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.
Claims20
A method for encrypting a broadcast message of a base station, the method comprising:
- selecting, by the processor, an encryption key for the broadcast message;
- encrypting, by the processor, the broadcast message using the encryption key to create an encrypted broadcast message;
- transmitting, by the processor, an identifier of the encryption key;
- and
- transmitting, by the processor, the encrypted broadcast message over a control channel.
A computer-readable storage device storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations for encrypting a broadcast message of a base station, the operations comprising:
- selecting 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;
- and
- transmitting the encrypted broadcast message over a control channel.
A method for decrypting a broadcast message that is encrypted, the method comprising:
- 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 a base station;
- 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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.