A Novel Localized Authentication Protocol in 3G-WLAN Integrated Networks

3G-WLAN interworking introduces new security challenges and problems. Designing and deploying a scalable and efficient authentication protocol for various network providers and millions of users is quite challenging. In this paper we propose a novel protocol that enables flexible and efficient authentication while respecting the characteristics of 3G-WLAN integrated networks. It realizes a localized authentication to mobile users by means of roaming tickets authorized by 3G home network previously. The proposed procedure combines the merits of shared key based and certificate based authentication. It requires minimum changes in 3G core network elements and signaling, which makes it very easily used in current 3G and WLAN network environments.