Security in D2D Communications: A Review

Device-to-Device (D2D) communications have emerged as a promising technology for the next generation mobile communication networks and wireless systems (5G). As an underlay network of a conventional cellular network (LTE or LTE-Advanced), D2D communications have shown great potential in improving communication capability, reducing communication delay and power dissipation, and fostering multifarious new applications and services. However, security in D2D communications, which is essential for the success of D2D services, hasn't yet drawn special attention in the literature. In this paper, we analyze security architecture of D2D communications under the framework of 3GPP LTE and identify the security requirements in D2D communications. We survey existing security solutions in D2D communications and evaluate their comprehensiveness and effectivity based on security requirements and D2D security architecture. Finally, we discuss the open research issues for securing D2D communications based on aforementioned security requirements and architecture.