Secure Session Mobility for VoIP

Abstract: High data rate wireless packet data networks have made real-time IP based services available through mobile devices. At the same time, differences in the characteristics of radio technologies (802.11/WiFi and 3G networks) make seamless handoff across heterogeneous wireless networks difficult. Despite this, many believe that the ultimate goal of next generation networks (often referred to as the fourth generation) is to allow convergence of such dissimilar heterogeneous networks. Supporting voice over Internet Protocol in next-generation wireless systems is thought by some to require support for mobility and quality of service features. Currently a mobile node can experience interruptions or even sporadic disconnections of an on going real-time session due to handovers between both networks of different types and networks of the same type. Many tests have already been done in this area and one may wonder why it is worth spending even more time investigating it? This thesis focuses on the important problem of providing session security despite handovers between networks (be they operated by the same operator or different operators and be they the same link technologies or different). One of the goals in this thesis is to investigate how an ongoing speech session can continue despite a change in transmission media1. Additionally, a number of security threats that could occur due to the handover will be identified and presented. Finally, the most suitable solution to address these threats will be tested in a real environment. Eventual shortcomings and weaknesses will be identified and presented; along with suggestions for future work.  1 When utilizing IP over carriers such as wired Ethernet, WLAN, and 3G.