A Simple Key Management Scheme Based on WiMAX

WiMAX security has two goals, one is to provide privacy across the wireless network and the other is to provide access control to the network. The security sub-layer of IEEE 802.16 employs an authenticated client/server key management protocol in which the BS, the server, controls the distribution of keying material to the client SS. This paper analyzes the physical layer threat and MAC layer threat of WiMAX, then lists the security requirements of a WiMAX system. Furthermore, we propose the security architecture of WiMAX and the key management scheme from the aspects of authorization key (AK) exchange, TEK exchange and AK management. In conclusion, this paper gives the security issues and countermeasures in WiMAX system.