Physical Layer Security for 6G Systems why it is needed and how to make it happen

TL;DR

This paper discusses the necessity of physical layer security in 6G systems, proposing a flexible, adaptive security framework integrated with AI and sensing to meet diverse, stringent security and performance requirements.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of incorporating physical layer security into 6G protocols within a flexible, multi-layer security framework utilizing AI and sensing technologies.

Findings

Physical layer security can enhance 6G security protocols.

Adaptive security controls can meet diverse 6G requirements.

Integration of AI and sensing enables autonomous security management.

Abstract

Sixth generations (6G) systems will be required to meet diverse constraints in an integrated ground-air-space global network. In particular, meeting overly aggressive latency constraints, operating in massive connectivity regimes, with low energy footprint and low computational effort, while providing explicit security guarantees, can be challenging. In this setting, quality of security (QoSec) is envisioned as a flexible security framework for future networks with highly diverse non-functional requirements. Mirroring the differentiated services (DiffServ) networking paradigm, different security levels could be conceptualized, moving away from static security controls, captured currently in zero-trust security architectures. In parallel, the integration of communications and sensing, along with embedded (on-device) AI, can provide the foundations for building autonomous and adaptive security controls, orchestrated by a vertical security plane in coordination with a vertical semantic plane. It is in this framework, that we envision the incorporation of physical layer security (PLS) schemes in 6G security protocols, introducing security controls at all layers, for the first time.