UAV-Assisted Attack Prevention, Detection, and Recovery of 5G Networks

TL;DR

This paper explores how UAVs can enhance the security of 5G networks by preventing, detecting, and recovering from attacks like jamming and spoofing, through novel mitigation mechanisms and simulation analysis.

Contribution

It introduces UAV-based security mechanisms such as hot zones and secondary authorization entities to improve 5G network resilience and confidentiality.

Findings

Simulation results demonstrate improved attack mitigation.

Proposed mechanisms increase network resilience.

Open issues include the need for experimental validation.

Abstract

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are emerging as enablers for supporting many applications and services, such as precision agriculture, search and rescue, temporary network deployment or coverage extension, and security. UAVs are being considered for integration into emerging 5G networks as aerial users or network support nodes. We propose to leverage UAVs in 5G to assist in the prevention, detection, and recovery of attacks on 5G networks. Specifically, we consider jamming, spoofing, eavesdropping and the corresponding mitigation mechanisms that are enabled by the versatility of UAVs. We introduce the hot zone, safe zone and UAV-based secondary authorization entity, among others, to increase the resilience and confidentiality of 5G radio access networks and services. We present simulation results and discuss open issues and research directions, including the need for experimental evaluation and a research platform for prototyping and testing the proposed technologies.