MUFAZA: Multi-Source Fast and Autonomous Zero-Trust Authentication for 5G Networks

With a growing threat landscape and attack surfaces in 5G networks, a promising approach to secure next-generation networks is to shift from perimeter-based defense to a zero-trust security framework that focuses on agent-centric trust evaluation and access decisions. A fast and accurate trust evaluation mechanism plays an important role in developing efficient authentication policies while ensuring system performance. In this work, we propose a multi-source fast and autonomous zero-trust authentication framework, known as MUFAZA, to provide resilient zero-trust security for 5G networks. We develop a moving-horizon dynamic trust evaluation that integrates multiple sources of security evidence. We discuss the reliability of information and provide a guide on how to incorporate additional information into trust evaluation. A case study of a hybrid 5G-enabled network illustrates the efficiency and robustness of the proposed approach.