Secure Initial Attach Based on Challenge-Response Method in LTE Conforming to LTE Standards

LTE and LTE-A are globally commercialized technologies. However, when UE is executing Initial Attach processes to access LTE Network, there exists vulnerability that identification parameters like IMSI and RNTI are transmitted as plain texts. Therefore, Security Scheme was proposed in this paper that identification parameters could be safely transmitted in 4 cases where Initial Attach occurs between UE and MME. Proposed Security Scheme not only supports encrypted transmission of identification parameters but also mutual authentication between eNB and MME. Additionally, performance analysis results using OPNET simulator showed the satisfaction of average delay rate which is specified in LTE standards.