Security evaluation of cellular networks handover techniques

This paper examined the handovers in cellular networks from both functional and informational security point of view. The aim was to find out if the security goals of confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA) are preserved during handovers. Whereas functional security is concerned with the proper operation of the handover procedures, informational security deals with confidentiality and integrity of the handover process. The global system for mobile communication provides data and voice communication services by partitioning coverage areas into hexagonal cells. Since mobility is a prime feature of cellular networks, handovers become significant for the continuity of ongoing calls. However, if these handovers are not handled carefully, session hijacking, masquerading and denial of service can be launched by transmitting at the correct timeslot and frequency. The results of the security investigation of the current handover techniques, methods, procedures, schemes and criteria revealed that the CIA triad was not assured during the handover period. The root cause of these attacks is high latency between handover request and handover execution. To address these shortcomings, this paper proposes an authenticated multi-factor neuro fuzzy handover protocol with low latency for both homogenous and heterogeneous cellular environments.