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EP-4740531-A1 - A NETWORK SERVER FOR AUTHENTICATING A USER DEVICE AND A METHOD THEREOF

EP4740531A1EP 4740531 A1EP4740531 A1EP 4740531A1EP-4740531-A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and a network server [300] for authenticating a user device The method comprising receiving, by a transceiver unit [302] at a network server [300], a request for performing an authentication procedure, from the user device. Retrieving, by a collection unit [304] at the network server [300], a quantum random number (QRN) from a QRN pool [312], and thereafter, performing, by an authentication unit [306] at the network server [300], the authentication of the user device based at least on the QRN received from the QRN pool [312].

Inventors

  • JHA, ADITYAKAR
  • BHATNAGAR, AAYUSH
  • REDDY, Boddireddy Ajith
  • KATHURIA, Deepak
  • CHAUHAN, Himanshu Singh
  • VERMA, NITIN
  • VASHISHTH, Yog

Assignees

  • Jio Platforms Limited

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20240703

Claims (16)

  1. 1. A method for authenticating a user device, the method comprising: receiving, by a transceiver unit [302] at a network server [300], a request for performing an authentication procedure from the user device; retrieving, by a collection unit [304] at the network server [300], a quantum random number (QRN) from a QRN pool [312]; and performing, by an authentication unit [306] at the network server [300], the authentication of the user device based at least on the QRN received from the QRN pool [312],
  2. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the network server [300] is one of a Unified Data Management (UDM) server, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), and a Home Location Register (HLR) server.
  3. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the QRN pool [312] comprises one or more batches of QRNs, wherein each of the one or more batches has a pre-defined count of random numbers.
  4. 4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein, the one or more batches of the QRNs in the QRN pool [312], is generated by a quantum random number generator (QRNG) module.
  5. 5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein, the QRN is retrieved from a batch of the one or more batches in the QRN pool [312],
  6. 6. The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: generating, by the QRNG module, a new batch of QRNs, for storing in the QRN pool [312], in an event a pre-defined count of QRNs in the batch of the one or more batches in the QRN pool [312] is below a threshold.
  7. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the QRN pool [312] is locally stored in a storage unit [310] associated with the network server [300],
  8. 8. A network server [300] for authenticating a user device, the network server [300] comprising: a transceiver unit [302] configured to receive a request for performing an authentication procedure from the user device; a collection unit [304] connected to at least the transceiver unit [302], the collection unit [304] configured to retrieve a quantum random number (QRN) from a QRN pool [312]; and an authentication unit [306] connected to at least the collection unit [304], the authentication unit [306] configured to perform the authentication of the user device based at least on the QRN received from the QRN pool [312],
  9. 9. The network server [300] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the network server [300] is one of a Unified Data Management (UDM) server, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), and a Home Location Register (HLR) server.
  10. 10. The network server [300] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the QRN pool [312] comprises one or more batches of QRNs, wherein each of the one or more batches has a pre-defined count of random numbers.
  11. 11. The network server [300] as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the one or more batches of the QRNs in the QRN pool [312], is generated by a quantum random number generator (QRNG) module.
  12. 12. The network server as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the QRNs are retrieved from a batch of the one or more batches in the QRN pool [312],
  13. 13. The network server [300] as claimed in claim 11, wherein the QRNG module is configured to generate a new batch of QRNs, for storing in the QRN pool [312], in an event the predefined count of QRNs in the batch of the one or more batches in the QRN pool [312] is below a threshold.
  14. 14. The network server [300] as claimed in claim 8, wherein the QRN pool [312] is locally stored in a storage unit [310] associated with the network server [300],
  15. 15. A User Equipment (UE) comprising: a memory; and a processor connected to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to: o transmit, to a network server [300], a request to perform an authentication procedure of the user equipment [102], and o receive, from the network server [300], an authentication response associated with the request, wherein the authentication response is received based: retrieving, at the network server [300], a quantum random number (QRN) from a QRN pool [312], and performing, at the network server [300], the authentication of the user equipment based at least on the QRN received from the QRN pool [312],
  16. 16. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for authenticating a user device, the instructions including an executable code, the executable code when executed by one or more units of a network server [300], causes: a transceiver unit [302] to receive a request for performing an authentication procedure from the user device, a collection unit [304] to retrieve a quantum random number (QRN) from a QRN pool [312], and an authentication unit [306] to perform the authentication of the user device based at least on the QRN received from the QRN pool [312],

Description

A NETWORK SERVER FOR AUTHENTICATING A USER DEVICE AND A METHOD THEREOF CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to the co-pending Indian Patent Application No. 202321045215 filed on 5 July 2023. The contents of this application may be read in conjunction with the specification of the afore-mentioned co-pending application. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a network server for authenticating a user device. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a network server for authenticating a user device using a pool of quantum random numbers and a method thereof. BACKGROUND [0003] The following description of the related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section is used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of the prior art. [0004] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. The third generation (3G) technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users. [0005] Further, when a device such as a user device (i.e. mobile phone) is switched ON, or when any periodic authentication of the user device is performed by one or more network servers such as a Unified Data Management (UDM) server, etc., one or more authentication keys are generated by a system. The one or more authentication keys may be based on any of the existing techniques, for example, the pseudo random number keys, quantum random numbers, etc. [0006] The pseudo random number keys are generated via a pseudo-random number generating technique which produces a plurality of sequences of numbers which are based on an initial known value, known as seed. Further, the quantum random numbers are generated using a quantum random number generating technique that produces true random numbers by using a quantum phenomenon. However, the prevailing challenge in the existing solutions are the long-standing faults such as one or more systematic errors in Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG) modules. During long standing faults associated with the QRNG modules, an authentication service is no longer available to be provided by a Unified Data Management (UDM) or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) or a Home Location Register (HLR). Further the unavailability of the QRNG module for the authentication service impacts a plurality of subscriber services and leads to service outages, such as disruption of communications, which is not desirable. Also, the issue of service outage may result in loss of customer trust and satisfaction. [0007] Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to provide an improved solution for authenticating the user device, which the present disclosure aims to address. SUMMARY [0008] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form, which are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter. [0009] An aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a method for authenticating a user device. The method comprises receiving, by a transceiver unit at a network server, a request for performing an authentication procedure, from the user device. The method further comprises retrieving, by a collection unit at the network server, a Quantum Random Number (QRN) from a QRN pool. The method further comprises performing, by an authentication unit at the network server, the authentication of the user device based at least on the QRN received from the QRN pool. [0010] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the network server is one of a Unified Data Management (UDM) server, a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), and a Home Location Register (HLR) server. [0011] In an exemplary aspect of the present discl