Overview of RIS-Enabled Secure Transmission in 6G Wireless Networks

TL;DR

This paper reviews how reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) can enhance physical-layer security in 6G wireless networks by improving transmission efficiency and protecting against eavesdropping, supported by numerical results.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of RIS fundamentals, standardization, and their application to physical-layer security in 6G, including design strategies and future research directions.

Findings

RIS improves security against eavesdropping

Numerical results show enhanced security performance

Discusses RIS design and standardization aspects

Abstract

As sixth-generation (6G) wireless communication networks evolve, privacy concerns are expected due to the transmission of vast amounts of security-sensitive private information. In this context, a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) emerges as a promising technology capable of enhancing transmission efficiency and strengthening information security. This study demonstrates how RISs can play a crucial role in making 6G networks more secure against eavesdropping attacks. We discuss the fundamentals, and standardization aspects of RISs, along with an in-depth analysis of physical-layer security (PLS). Our discussion centers on PLS design using RIS, highlighting aspects like beamforming, resource allocation, artificial noise, and cooperative communications. We also identify the research issues, propose potential solutions, and explore future perspectives. Finally, numerical results are provided to support our discussions and demonstrate the enhanced security enabled by RIS.