
Yuval Elovici
Senior Academic
Evaluating the Security of Open Radio Access Networks
The Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) is a promising RAN architecture,
aimed at reshaping the RAN industry toward an open, adaptive, and
intelligent RAN. In this paper, we conducted a comprehensive security
analysis of Open Radio Access Networks (O-RAN). Specifically, we review
the architectural blueprint designed by the O-RAN alliance -- A leading
force in the cellular ecosystem. Within the security analysis, we
provide a detailed overview of the O-RAN architecture; present an
ontology for evaluating the security of a system, which is currently at
an early development stage; detect the primary risk areas to O-RAN;
enumerate the various threat actors to O-RAN; and model potential
threats to O-RAN. The significance of this work is providing an updated
attack surface to cellular network operators. Based on the attack
surface, cellular network operators can carefully deploy the appropriate
countermeasure for increasing the security of O-RAN.
| Publication language | English |
| Publication status | Published - 01.01.2022 |
Keywords
Computer Science - Cryptography and Security
Computer Science - Networking and Internet Architecture