VIBE and 5G – Leveraging the Value of Mobile Edge Computing (MEC)

VIBE and 5G – Leveraging the Value of Mobile Edge Computing (MEC)

Mobile Edge Computing (MEC), today referred to as Multi-Access Edge Computing, is a network architecture concept that enables cloud computing and IT services environments at the edge of the cellular network (cell towers) and, de-facto, at the edge of any network. The value of MEC is that by running applications, and performing related processing tasks closer to the cellular customer, network congestion is reduced and applications perform better, enabling flexible and rapid deployment of new applications and services for customers.

MEC is commonly coupled with emerging 5G network deployments, which come with their own set of complications, all of which have to be considered when utilizing MEC on 5G.  Researchers at the universities of Iowa and Purdue have identified 11 vulnerabilities in 5G networks:

  • exposing of location
  • downgrading of service
  • running up of wireless bills
  • tracking date/time when users call
  • tracking when user text
  • tracking when users browse the web
  • plus, five additional 5G vulnerabilities that carried over from 3G and 4G, which are crucial as a lot of 5G networks are built on top of existing 4G infrastructures, thus inheriting these vulnerabilities
  • further, content transferred has to be secured and encrypted end-to-end, and with 100% assurance that it’s accessed by the proper recipients.

Due to the low latency time requirements of 5G, subscriber and location information that needs to be encrypted and decrypted at every 5G cell cannot be done by any public key (PK) cryptography – whether it’s PKI or VIBE – thus requiring real-time mechanisms to solve these challenges, such as the inherent 5G network-slicing capability.

So, while VIBE cannot solve all the above problems, VIBE is able to efficiently support 5G networks in authenticating the communicating nodes, and securing any session-based 5G communication. Further, VIBE adds value by ensuring that the content of communicating 5G nodes is properly authenticated, and that data flowing over the network is always transmitted from the receiver to the recipient in an ironclad, encrypted manner.  Further, session-based activities such as device registration, de-registration, and paging can all be easily and economically secured with VIBE.

Implementation of VIBE is also seamless as the technology interfaces at the application layer, thus ensuring agile, easy embedding into existing environments.

VIBE is also ideally suited to secure containerization technologies, such as Docker, Kubernetes, and Portainer, that are commonly used in MEC infrastructures. Combining VIBE with such technologies enables cellular operators to safely open their MEC radio-access networks (RAN) to authorized third parties, such as application developers and content providers.

VIBE displaces existing PKI technology in mobile networks by dramatically reducing complexity, cost and operational management (with a TCO of `50% of PKI). VIBE is the ideal platform to effectively secure session based MEC environments, and solve some of the key network-vulnerability problems existing on 4G/5G today.

VIBE’s 5G Benefits Summary

  • Secure session-based communication without need of certificates
  • Encrypt and decrypt communication between sender and recipient, as well for container snapshots and container management.
  • Usable for key management and distribution
  • Usable for initial authenticated registration, de-registration and paging
  • Clearly ensure trusted identities and secure group formation
  • Authenticate all cells of a network
  • Interfaces at the application layer, thus allowing quick solution adoption
Andrew Parlock

Andrew Parlock

Advisor

Andrew is a senior executive with extensive background in Applications Engineering, and in particular, Business Development. With an MBA, and an undergrad degree in Aerospace (aka “rocket science”), and having realized high-level security clearance with the US Government, Andrew is a subject-matter expert when it comes to helping our team navigate the complex world of government and its related businesses and agencies. In Andrew’s words, he “thrives in the chaos of the unknown where so many opportunities exist.”

Andrew is a senior executive with extensive background in Applications Engineering, and in particular, Business Development. With an MBA, and an undergrad degree in Aerospace (aka “rocket science”), and having realized high-level security clearance with the US Government, Andrew is a subject-matter expert when it comes to helping our team navigate the complex world of government and its related businesses and agencies. In Andrew’s words, he “thrives in the chaos of the unknown where so many opportunities exist.”

Chuck-Brooks

Chuck Brooks

Advisor

Named Top Person To Follow on Tech by LinkedIn. Former Technology Partner Advisor at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Helped “stand up” Office of Legislative at DHS. Served as first Director of Legislative Affairs at the DHS Science & Technology Directorate. A thought leader, influencer, technology evangelist. A featured writer/speaker/blogger. Topics include: homeland security, cyber security, CBRNE, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), science & technology, public/private partnerships, risk management, blockchain, innovation. Published in FORBES, Huffington Post, InformationWeek, MIT Sloan Blog, Computerworld, Federal Times, NextGov and many more.

olivierRouit

Olivier Rouit

Senior Embedded Security Architect

Formerly educated with a degree in Applied Electronics Engineering and Industrial Computer Science from ENSEA, France, and in Artificial Intelligence from the renowned ENSIMAG University in Grenoble. France, Olivier’s first significant role in Applied Research was with Gemplus’s Telecom Division. An expert in embedded security, Olivier has worked extensively on numerous research projects ranging from the first implementation of an EAP SIM, in collaboration with CISCO, to the first implementation of a Javacard OTP with Verisign. Recognized as an expert in identity-management embedded technology, Olivier is an award-winning engineer who today is leading embedded development projects for VIBE.

Heiko Vetkamp

Heiko Vetkamp

Advisor

Heiko worked at Philips for 13.5 years in several European countries, and he worked at Halo Creative & Design Ltd. at its headquarters in Hong Kong and Operations in China & US.  Heiko is a co-founder of Purive.  Heiko is a practical, professional manager with a proven track record in Supply Chain, Customer service, Planning & Logistics, Key account and Sales Management, General Management and Change Management.  Being a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Heiko has experience in leading complex multi-site international supply chain projects, customer service & logistics management, the building and managing of intensive partnerships on several levels for international key accounts and distributors, the building of effective sales organisations, profit & loss responsibility, business development, and large integration and change management projects.

Heiko has a Master of Science (MSc) in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology, in Atlanta with a focus on Economic decision analysis, and a Master of Science (MSc) in Mechanical engineering from the University of Twente in the Netherlands with a focus on Production and Operations management.  Today Heiko lives in Netherlands.  Heiko speaks Dutch, English, and German.

Craig Stark

Craig Stark

Advisor

Craig Stark has over 30 years of Business Development experience with new technologies and bringing complex solutions to market from large to start-up sized companies. With deep experience in strategic partnerships, channel development, solution marketing, product and industry marketing, Craig uses an agile, collaborative approach of innovation management to build sustaining value for partners and clients. Craig has focused on IoT and transformative technologies for the past five years. His current work with Strategy of Things focuses on Smart Systems, Smart Buildings, and Platform Business Models. Prior to that, he spent six years in the smart systems development business, where he served as CTO and co-lead in design authority at Blackstone Gates, an international CX and loyalty strategy consultancy. Craig has served on the CIO Strategy Council (Data and Security Standards), The Conference Board of Canada (advisory on IP strategy) and as an industry partner for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development for the National IP Strategy council and currently supports the NSERC National IoT Research Chair in support of bridging applied research to several industry segments. Craig has supported research efforts for the US NIST IoT Infrastructure investment project to apply to several industry and vendor segments.

Paul Hager

Paul Hager

Advisor

Paul has extensive experience in cybersecurity. He served as the U.S. Representative to NATO for Information Security. As Special Assistant to the Director of the NSA he participated in technology research, investment, and partnerships in international cybersecurity and telecom technologies. Early in his NSA career, he carried out system penetration testing (hacking), and was an early team member of the first U.S. National Computer Security Center. Paul has authored national and international policies and publications/books on information security. Paul earned his M.B.A. in Corporate Finance from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Business, and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) in International Policy, from Harvard University. His undergraduate degrees are from the University of North Carolina, a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.A. with Honors in Psychology.

bobBergman

Bob Bergman

Standards Strategy

A total of 50 years of experience in software engineering, Decision Sciences, System Dynamics Modeling, Scenario Planning, International Standards, business strategy synthesis, and simulation. Bob’s background includes 12 years of flight simulator design for USAF high-performance aircraft and 28 years at Intel applying quantitative decision methodologies to improve international standards negotiations and strategic business decisions. Bob represented Intel at GSM Association, 3GPP (wireless com standards), IETF, oneM2m (IOT standards), and Open Mobile Alliance (Digital Rights Management standards). Bob attended MIT and SUNY at Albany earning a BS degree in Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, with graduate work in system dynamics.

Dr. William Young, Jr.

Dr. William “Dollar” Young, Jr

Advisor

Dr. William “Dollar” Young, Jr is an accomplished strategist and technical leader with 31 years in the United States Air Force. His last Air Force position was as the initial commander of the Air Force’s newest operational organization, a first-of-its-kind wing tasked to deliver Electromagnetic Spectrum capabilities to all Air Force weapon systems and platforms via “missionware” applications, mission data, advanced networking and Electromagnetic Warfare Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning algorithms.

Dr. Young is the creator of System-Theoretic Process Analysis for Security (STPA-Sec). STPA-Sec is the security analysis framework used to help secure many of America’s most complex new weapon systems. Dr. Young is a former consultant for MIT Lincoln Laboratory where he worked on new Security Engineering Analysis methods for the lab’s Cyber System Assessments Group. He is an Associate Research Professor at Syracuse University in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Dept. In this role, he is currently developing a new methodology for securing Internet of Things devices. Dr. Young previously served as the Chief Strategist for the Commander of the Air Force Air Education & Training Command.

Dr. Young earned his PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2016 in Systems Engineering with an emphasis in Secure Systems Engineering. He has four Master’s Degrees. Dr. Young was one of the initial graduates of the Air Force’s Grand Strategy Program. He has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science with an emphasis in Electrical and Aeronautical Engineering.

Alfred-Berkeley

Alfred Berkeley

Advisor

A former president of NASDAQ. Was a Captain in the 438th Military Airlift Wing, and served as a Major in the USAF Reserve. He has testified before the Joint Committee on Economics of the US Congress, and before the House Science Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and the House Committee on Homeland Security. Served on the International Advisory Council for the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and is currently on the Board of Visitors of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and a Trustee of Hollins University. Al earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia, and received his M.B.A. from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

"