Security Threats and Cellular Network Procedures for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

TL;DR

This paper reviews cellular network security issues for unmanned aircraft systems, discusses ongoing standardization efforts, and highlights research opportunities and security recommendations for 5G networks supporting UAS.

Contribution

It introduces a 3GPP reference architecture for UAS in 5G, details security contexts and threats, and suggests security features for standardization.

Findings

Identification of key security threats to UAS cellular communications

Overview of 3GPP procedures for UAS security

Research opportunities in UAS network security

Abstract

This paper discusses cellular network security for unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) and provides insights into the ongoing Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardization efforts with respect to authentication and authorization, location information privacy, and command and control signaling. We introduce the 3GPP reference architecture for network connected UAS and the new network functions as part of the 5G core network, discuss introduce the three security contexts, potential threats, and the 3GPP procedures. The paper identifies research opportunities for UAS communications security and recommends critical security features and processes to be considered for standardization.