There are several key protocols and standards that are used as part of the
overall WiMAX security strategy:
i.
PKMv2: This is the Privacy Key Management
Protocol version 2. This is used as a key management protocol for the
encrypted and authorized exchange of crypto keys for multicast and broadcast
traffic.
ii.
EAP: This is the Internet Engineering Task
Force, Extensible Authentication Protocol. This protocol is used for device
and user authentication.
iii.
EAS: This is the Advanced Encryption Standard. This is used for encrypting the
over the air traffic.
During the operation of the system, the various WiMAX security measures are brought in to play at the
various required stages.
i
WiMAX security authentication: Authentication is the
ability of the network to ensure that the subscriber and subscriber devices
are legitimate users and devices to be connected to the network.
Network entry authorization uses EAP because it provides a flexible and
scalable framework for authentication of the user and devices.
ii
WiMAX security encryption: The EAS encryption is used
for encrypting over the air traffic. The WiMAX security approach utilizes
uses Counter Mode with Cipher Block Chaining Message, CCM, and
authentication code. With AES CCM, the sender generates a unique value per
packet and sends this value to the receiver. This prevents man-in-the-middle
attacks because they would have difficulty in substituting the traffic. An
additional measure introduces the use of Traffic Encryption State machine,
which uses a periodic key refresh mechanism to provide for the continued
transition of keys.
e. Advantages
i
Coverage: The single station of WiMAX can operate and provide coverage
for hundred of users at a time and manage sending and receiving of data at very
high speed with full of network security.
ii
High Speed:
The High speed
of connectivity over long distance and high-speed voice makes it more demanded
in hardly populated areas plus compacted areas.
iii
Multi-functionality:
WiMAX Technology perform a variety of task at a time such as offering high speed
internet, providing telephone service, transformation of data, video streaming,
voice application etc.
iv
Infrastructure:
WiMAX infrastructure is very easy and flexible therefore it
provides maximum reliability of network and consent to actual access to
end-users.
v
Low cost network:
WiMAX provides a low cost network substitute to Internet
services offered via ADSL, modem or local area network.
vi
Rich Features:
WiMAX Technology is offering rich
features, which make it useful. WiMAX offers separate voice and
data channel for fun, the semantic connection make your network more secure then
before, fast connectively, license spectrum, liberty of movement etc.