Wireless Security Institute
Leading and Coordinating 5G Security Technology
In response to the nation’s challenge to develop and validate 5G security protocols and data protection technologies, Idaho National Laboratory has established the INL Wireless Security Institute (WSI). The Institute’s mission is to lead and coordinate government, academic, and private industry research efforts fostering more secure and reliable 5G wireless technology. The institute draws on INL’s extensive expertise and unique facilities that have been used for nearly two decades to analyze, design, test, and improve cellular, radio, and satellite communication systems for government agencies and global wireless communication companies.
Security Focused Areas
5G Device and Network Security Analysis
Device vulnerability and threat analysis; Extension to gNodeB/RAN and 5G core network
Cellular Drone Security
Nationwide secure network including frequency reuse and 5G enhanced authentication including device-to-device (D2D) schemes
5G Spectrum Security
Secure autonomous distributed spectrum sharing architecture; Spectral efficiency improvement with cyclic prefix; and Mission Critical Ultra-reliable Low-latency (URLLC)
Wireless Security Activities
Leading collaboration and coordination of the Nation’s wireless security challenges.
Current Projects and Strategy
Current WSI Projects
- 5G SA Device and Network Security Analysis
- Spectum Cyber Initiative: WiFIRE
- 5G evaluation, range buildout, and analysis for the energy sector
- Clandestine Communications
- Video surveillance communications (Spectrum comms)
- Impact from 6 GHz reallocations
- 5 projects on 5G security with university collaboration
WSI Strategic Areas
- Enhance wireless security expertise in 5G and beyond, including 6G
- Increase outreach to USGs, US Industries, and US Universities
- Grow the Wireless Security Institute team
- Improve the national talent pipeline for wireless security
- External Advisory Committee and Bi-annual Workshops
Collaborating with Academia and Industry on National Challenges
Through research partnerships, recognized leadership, and differentiating capabilities, INL is becoming a catalyst for discovery and the preferred provider for wireless security and resilience research and evaluation.
The Wireless Security Institute draws on this expertise to organize and facilitate bi-annual Wireless Security Workshops which provide a collaborative and innovative forum for the 5G Security community. The Workshops discuss critical security challenges, security needs and actions needed to strengthen collaboration and engagement between industry, government and academia.
Other activities and areas that INL’s Wireless Security Institute supports:
- INL Wireless Security Workshop Portals and Reports
- Wireless Spectrum Research and Development Interagency Working Group
- Large Scale Networking Interagency Working Group
- National Institutes of Science and Technology (NIST)
- Chief Information Offices, Department of Energy
- Chief Information Offices, Department of Defense
Partners in these activities include:
Research of Future Technologies
- 5G security assessments
- Wireless Security for Nuclear Power Plants
- Wi-Fi 6E impact to Infrastructure control communications
- National Center for Wireless Spectrum Research (SII – Center)
- National Radio Dynamic Zones (NRDZ)
- 5G impacts to Radio Altimeter (RA) operations (4.2-4.4 GHz)
- 5G impacts and opportunities for law enforcement
