Important Security Issues in 4G & wireless security

With the advent of advanced network of 4G, there are several security issues that are deemed important for consideration when deploying a wireless infrastructure like 4G:

1. Authentication: wireless networks have a large number of subscribers, and each has to be authenticated to ensure the right people are using the network. Since the purpose of 4G is to enable people to communicate from anywhere in the world, the issue of cross region and cross provider authentication becomes an issue.
2. Integrity: With services such as SMS, chat and file transfer it is important that the data arrives without any modifications.
3. Confidentiality: With the increased use of cellular phones in sensitive communication, there is a need for a secure channel in order to transmit information.
4. Access Control: The Cellular device may have files that need to have restricted access to them. The device might access a database where some sort of role based access control is necessary.
5. Operating Systems In Mobile Devices: Cellular Phones have evolved from low processing power, ad-hoc supervisors to high power processors and full fledged operating systems. Some phones may use a Java Based system, others use Microsoft Windows CE and have the same capabilities as a desktop computer. Issues may arise in the OS which might open security holes that can be exploited.
6. Web Services: A Web Service is a component that provides functionality accessible through the web using the standard HTTP Protocol. This opens the cellular device to variety of security issues such as viruses, buffer overflows, denial of service attacks etc.
7. Location Detection: The actual location of a cellular device needs to be kept hidden for reasons of privacy of the user. With the move to IP based networks, the issue arises that a user may be associated with an access point and therefore their location might be compromised.
8. Viruses And Malware: With increased functionality provided in cellular systems, problems prevalent in larger systems such as viruses and malware arise. The first virus that appeared on cellular devices was Liberty. An affected device can also be used to attack the cellular network infrastructure by becoming part of a large scale denial of service attack.
9. Downloaded Contents: Spyware or Adware might be downloaded causing security issues. Another problem is that of digital rights management. Users might download unauthorized copies of music, videos, wallpapers and games.
   
   
10. Device Security: If a device is lost or stolen, it needs to be protected from unauthorized use so that potential sensitive information such as emails, documents, phone numbers etc. cannot be accessed.