Open RAN security: Challenges and opportunities

Madhusanka Liyanage; An Braeken; Shahriar  Shahabuddin; Pasika  Ranaweera

doi:10.1016/j.jnca.2023.103621

Open RAN security: Challenges and opportunities

Madhusanka Liyanage, An Braeken, Shahriar Shahabuddin, Pasika Ranaweera

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Abstract

Open RAN (ORAN, O-RAN) represents a novel industry-level standard for RAN (Radio Access Network), which defines interfaces that support inter-operation between vendors’ equipment and offer network flexibility at a lower cost. Open RAN integrates the benefits and advancements of network softwarization and Artificial Intelligence to enhance the operation of RAN devices and operations. Open RAN offers new possibilities so different stakeholders can develop the RAN solution in this open ecosystem. However, the benefits of Open RAN bring new security and privacy challenges. As Open RAN offers an entirely different RAN configuration than what exists today, it could lead to severe security and privacy issues if mismanaged, and stakeholders are understandably taking a cautious approach towards the security of Open RAN deployment. In particular, this paper analyzes the security and privacy risks and challenges associated with Open RAN architecture. Then, it discusses possible security and privacy solutions to secure Open RAN architecture and presents relevant security standardization efforts relevant to Open RAN security. Finally, we discuss how Open RAN can be used to deploy more advanced security and privacy solutions in 5G and beyond RAN.

Original language	English
Article number	103621
Number of pages	38
Journal	Journal of Network and Computer Applications
Volume	214
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnca.2023.103621
Publication status	Published - May 2023

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work is supported by 6Genesis Flagship (grant 318927) project. The research leading to these results partly received funding from European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no 101021808 (H2020 SPATIAL project). The paper reflects only the authors\u2019 views. The Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Funding Information:
This work is supported by 6Genesis Flagship (grant 318927 ) project. The research leading to these results partly received funding from European Union\u2019s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no 101021808 (H2020 SPATIAL project). The paper reflects only the authors\u2019 views. The Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors

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title = "Open RAN security: Challenges and opportunities",

abstract = "Open RAN (ORAN, O-RAN) represents a novel industry-level standard for RAN (Radio Access Network), which defines interfaces that support inter-operation between vendors{\textquoteright} equipment and offer network flexibility at a lower cost. Open RAN integrates the benefits and advancements of network softwarization and Artificial Intelligence to enhance the operation of RAN devices and operations. Open RAN offers new possibilities so different stakeholders can develop the RAN solution in this open ecosystem. However, the benefits of Open RAN bring new security and privacy challenges. As Open RAN offers an entirely different RAN configuration than what exists today, it could lead to severe security and privacy issues if mismanaged, and stakeholders are understandably taking a cautious approach towards the security of Open RAN deployment. In particular, this paper analyzes the security and privacy risks and challenges associated with Open RAN architecture. Then, it discusses possible security and privacy solutions to secure Open RAN architecture and presents relevant security standardization efforts relevant to Open RAN security. Finally, we discuss how Open RAN can be used to deploy more advanced security and privacy solutions in 5G and beyond RAN.",

author = "Madhusanka Liyanage and An Braeken and Shahriar Shahabuddin and Pasika Ranaweera",

note = "Funding Information: This work is supported by 6Genesis Flagship (grant 318927) project. The research leading to these results partly received funding from European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no 101021808 (H2020 SPATIAL project). The paper reflects only the authors\u2019 views. The Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Funding Information: This work is supported by 6Genesis Flagship (grant 318927 ) project. The research leading to these results partly received funding from European Union\u2019s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no 101021808 (H2020 SPATIAL project). The paper reflects only the authors\u2019 views. The Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023 The Authors",

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N1 - Funding Information: This work is supported by 6Genesis Flagship (grant 318927) project. The research leading to these results partly received funding from European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no 101021808 (H2020 SPATIAL project). The paper reflects only the authors\u2019 views. The Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Funding Information: This work is supported by 6Genesis Flagship (grant 318927 ) project. The research leading to these results partly received funding from European Union\u2019s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no 101021808 (H2020 SPATIAL project). The paper reflects only the authors\u2019 views. The Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors

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Open RAN security: Challenges and opportunities

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