Secure and Resilient 6 G RAN Networks: A Decentralized Approach with Zero Trust Architecture

The upcoming sixth generation (6 G) networks present significant security challenges due to the growing demand for virtualization, as indicated by their key performance indicators (KPIs). To ensure communication secrecy in such a distributed network, we propose an intelligent zero trust (ZT) framework that safeguards the radio access network (RAN) from potential threats. Our proposed ZT model is specifically designed to cater to the distributed nature of 6 G networks. It accommodates secrecy modules in various nodes, such as the base station, core network, and cloud, to monitor the network while performing hierarchical and distributed threat detection. This approach enables the distributed modules to work together to efficiently identify and respond to the suspected RAN threats. As a RAN security use case, we address the intrusion detection issues of the 6 G-enabled internet of drones. Our simulation results show the robustness of our ZT framework, which is based on distributed security modules, against potential attacks. The framework exhibits low detection time and low false positives, making it a reliable solution for securing 6 G networks. Furthermore, the ZT model enables the accommodation of secrecy modules in various nodes and provides the needed enhanced security measures in the network.