A Unified Security Framework for RAN-CN Convergence Towards 6G Mobile Networks

The introduction of mobile cloud computing and network virtualization in 5G technology has significantly enhanced the flexibility and agility of the core network, addressing the limitations inherent in LTE networks. Despite these innovations, 5G mobile networks continued to suffer from high signalling latency due to the adoption of a decoupled architecture, which clearly separates the radio access network (RAN) from the core network (CN). In preparation for the shift to 6G, many recent studies have considered RAN-CN convergence to address issues such as redundant control message processing and high signalling latency. This convergence is further motivated by the shift of both RAN and CN towards cloud-native technologies, aiming to improve agility, resilience, and cost-efficiency. To realize the converged RAN-CN architecture, it is necessary to implement robust security measures to ensure the protection of user privacy and the prevention of data leaks. This paper firstly introduces the converged RAN-CN architecture for next-generation mobile networks. Then it proposes a unified security framework for the RAN-CN converged mobile network.