A Blockchain-Based Authentication Scheme for 5G Applications

Authentication mechanisms are important security features for mobile operators and application providers. In addition to the primary authentication between user equipment and the mobile operator network, secondary authentication between the user and Data Networks owned by the application is introduced in the 5G system. However, the implementation of secondary authentication introduces some challenges to application providers, not only the cost but also the capability, which leaves space for improving. In this paper, we designed an authentication mechanism for applications based on blockchain. With this mechanism, mobile operators and the application providers are able to share authentication related information like authentication results, users’ identification, users’ attribute information, users’ reputation and users’ blacklists, etc. securely. As a result, some application providers could execute user access control without deploying their own authentication systems any more. In addition with the shared comprehensive user information, mobile operators and application providers can make more fine and intelligent user access control.