Technical Approach

The main issue that ASPeCT addresses is the provision of UMTS security features for an ever-increasing number of services and users. The technical work is carried forward in five parallel strands as follows:

• Ensuring that migration from the second generation systems to UMTS occurs in a secure way without jeopardising the quality of service or security of new or existing services. Secure interworking of different networks is being considered to allow for safe roaming throughout Europe.
• Developing methods to detect fraud in UMTS. Fraud scenarios and indicators are being investigated and developed. Legal and presentational aspects are also being considered.
• Proposing a European-wide solution to the problem of managing keys to provide security services for mobile telecommunication use. This involves using a Trusted Third Party to deal with the secure management of cryptographic keys.
• Developing new ideas about, and assisting the smooth migration to, future User Identity Modules. This involves promoting improvements to smartcard technology and investigating user-to-UIM authentication based on biometric techniques;
• Developing services supporting the security and integrity of billing in UMTS.