As cyber threats increase, Turkcell is a leader in quantum-safe 5G network security.
Turkcell partners with ID Quantique to implement quantum-resistant security on Juniper mobile backhaul, ensuring robust protection for next-gen telecom systems.
The top telecom and tech firm in Turkey, Turkcell, has made great strides in getting its network infrastructure ready for the quantum computing age. Turkcell and ID Quantique (IDQ) have successfully finished a proof-of-concept (PoC) showcasing quantum-safe mobile backhaul security in a ground-breaking partnership. With this effort, Turkcell takes the lead in next-generation telecom cybersecurity and proactively tackles the new risks that quantum computers provide.
The successful integration of Juniper’s strong MACsec and IPsec frameworks with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology forms the basis of this innovative endeavour. The goal of this combined solution is to offer quantum-resilient protection for crucial mobile backhaul components, such as encrypted data and Precision Timing Protocols (PTP), which are necessary for the operation of 5G networks.
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Precision Timing Protocols (PTP)
In 5G mobile backhaul networks, Precision Timing Protocols (PTP) are crucial elements. The efficient operation of mobile networks depends on exact clock synchronisation, which is made possible by these protocols.
Based on the following, is a thorough analysis of PTP:
- Crucial Role in Mobile Networks:
- PTP and SyncE operate together to give Turkcell’s network better timing accuracy.
- For many 5G services and applications, this precise time synchronisation is essential.
- It is necessary for mobility functions that depend on exact timing, such data transmission and call handovers.
- Vulnerability to Quantum Threats:
- PTP may be susceptible to assaults using quantum computing.
- Traditional cryptographic systems, including the time synchronisation subsystem of mobile backhaul networks, are seriously threatened by the development of quantum computers.
- Consequences of PTP Manipulation/Attacks:
- Because any tampering or inaccuracy can have serious repercussions, protecting PTP is essential.
These consist of:
- Users experienced higher latency and lost connections.
- Monetary losses as a result of decreased productivity for companies that depend on mobile networks.
- Decline in consumer confidence in mobile services’ dependability and security.
- Service disruptions brought on by a misaligned network, such as dropped calls or unsuccessful data transfers.
- Location disclosure, in which the whereabouts of users may be revealed by manipulating time signals.
- Unstable networks could result in cascading failures that impact several users at once.
- Spoofing attacks, in which adversaries broadcast fictitious timing signals to cause network instability, are one kind of threat.
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Turkcell’s Strategy for PTP Protection:
- Turkcell recently established a proof-of-concept (PoC) to defend PTP against quantum threats in partnership with ID Quantique and Juniper Networks.
- In order to secure PTP, the trial effectively combined Juniper’s MACsec and IPsec frameworks with encryption keys created by Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).
- All wired traffic, including PTP, SyncE, and Data, was secured using the IEEE standard MACsec (Media Access Control Security) (802.1AE). Through the use of AES256 encryption, MACsec provides quantum resistance and was implemented without causing any performance issues.
- The problem of protecting PTP without adding extra latency that can affect network performance was especially addressed by the approach. The PoC discovered that PTP could be successfully secured without compromising the precision of time data.
- Turkcell confirmed in the first proof of concept that field-deployed Juniper ACX7100s can secure data and synchronisation traffic in a way that prevents quantum computer attacks. They also found that there was no difference in PTP quality performance when MACsec was enabled, even when quantum-safe MACsec was used with a virtual key management system.
- ID Quantique’s QKD solution, which offers quantum-protected keys for MACsec and IPsec while preserving 5G timing precision and IP traffic integrity, took the place of the virtual key management system in the second phase.
- The network’s resilience was demonstrated by the fact that synchronisation continued to function even after key management was unplugged.
In conclusion, PTP is essential to the accurate functioning of contemporary mobile networks, particularly 5G. Because PTP is susceptible to sophisticated cyberthreats, such as those posed by quantum computers, protecting it is a crucial issue that Turkcell has effectively tackled with its ground-breaking quantum-safe security program.
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Juniper Mobile Backhaul
As seen by its partnerships with Turkcell and ID Quantique, Juniper Networks is a key player in the idea of quantum-safe mobile backhaul network security.
In this perspective, Juniper’s role in mobile backhaul is explained in detail below:
- Understanding Mobile Backhaul Networks
- In order to transfer all traffic between cell towers and mobile core networks, mobile backhaul networks are essential parts of the telecommunications infrastructure.
- Because they frequently operate remotely and handle sensitive data, they are regarded as ideal targets for cyberattacks.
- The crucial requirement for precise time distribution is a particularly significant feature of these networks.
- Juniper’s Role in Securing Mobile Backhaul
- As a pioneer in safe, AI-native networks, Juniper Networks collaborated with Turkcell and ID Quantique to validate a novel proof-of-concept (PoC) for quantum-safe services, which specifically defends mobile backhaul networks from quantum attacks.
- The PoC effectively combined Juniper’s strong MACsec and IPsec frameworks with encryption keys provided by Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). Without sacrificing efficiency, this integration allows for quantum-resilient protection for crucial mobile backhaul components, such as encrypted data and Precision Timing Protocols (PTP).
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Key Juniper Products and Technologies in Mobile Backhaul
The PoC made use of particular Juniper hardware:
- The ACX7100 series of cloud metro routers from Juniper Networks: In the first phase of the Proof of Concept, these field-deployed routers served as network nodes to synchronise traffic and secure data using MACsec. With no discernible performance difference in data traffic and synchronisation quality when MACsec was activated, even with quantum-safe MACsec employing a virtual key management system, Turkcell confirmed that these devices are capable of protecting traffic in a way that withstands quantum computer attacks.
- In order to verify quantum-safe IPsec integration, the second phase of the Proof of Concept included Juniper SRX Series Firewalls, more especially the SRX1500 Firewalls. The configuration verified that IDQ’s QKD devices are completely compatible with the quantum-safe IPsec services offered by the SRX1500 Firewalls.
- MACsec and IPsec encryption certification was also highlighted in relation to Juniper MX Series routers.
- Using virtual and/or physical key management entities, Juniper’s IPsec solution adds a secret key via RFC8784 standards to the Internet Key Exchange (IKE) protocols. This uses interchangeable key-management systems to combine robust classical algorithms with quantum-resistant algorithms.
Improving Mobile Backhaul Security and Performance
- Protecting Precision Timing Protocols (PTP), which are crucial parts of 5G backhaul networks and may be subject to quantum computing threats, was given top priority in the solution. This was accomplished without adding extra latency that would have affected network performance in large part to Juniper’s frameworks. The proof of concept showed that MACsec can successfully and quantum-safely safeguard data and the mission-critical synchronisation network without compromising the precision of time information.
- The project verified that even with quantum-secure key exchange in place, the quantum-safe system maintains 5G timing precision and IP traffic integrity. PTP and SyncE traffic protection is part of this.
- Additionally demonstrating crypto-agility, Juniper’s technology allows Turkcell to easily transition from virtual QKD-emulation key management to actual QKD without the need for a software update, hence preserving VPN service availability. This demonstrates how Juniper’s architecture is adaptable to changing security threats and standards.
For Turkcell to deploy a scalable and quantum-resilient security architecture for its vital mobile backhaul networks, Juniper Networks essentially supplies the fundamental routing, firewall, and security framework infrastructure (MACsec and IPsec). This ensures data integrity and crucial timing accuracy in the face of potential quantum computing threats.
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