Title
Virtualized security at the network edge: a user-centric approach
Abstract
The current device-centric protection model against security threats has serious limitations. On one hand, the proliferation of user terminals such as smartphones, tablets, notebooks, smart TVs, game consoles, and desktop computers makes it extremely difficult to achieve the same level of protection regardless of the device used. On the other hand, when various users share devices (e.g., parents and kids using the same devices at home), the setup of distinct security profiles, policies, and protection rules for the different users of a terminal is far from trivial. In light of this, this article advocates for a paradigm shift in user protection. In our model, protection is decoupled from users' terminals, and it is provided by the access network through a trusted virtual domain. Each trusted virtual domain provides unified and homogeneous security for a single user irrespective of the terminal employed. We describe a user-centric model where nontechnically savvy users can define their own profiles and protection rules in an intuitive way. We show that our model can harness the virtualization power offered by next-generation access networks, especially from network functions virtualization in the points of presence at the edge of telecom operators. We also analyze the distinctive features of our model, and the challenges faced based on the experience gained in the development of a proof of concept.
Year
DOI
Venue
2015
10.1109/MCOM.2015.7081092
IEEE Communications Magazine
Keywords
Field
DocType
virtualization,network edge,security,network functions virtualization,ontologies,virtualisation,network security,computer network security
Virtualization,Security through obscurity,Computer security,Computer science,Network security,Computer network,Security service,Cloud computing security,Network Access Control,Logical security,Computer security model
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
53
4
0163-6804
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
14
0.78
5
Authors
16