Securing method for lawful interception

Abstract

A method is presented for secure communication, the method including generating a signature using a private key, a nonce, and at least one of an identifier and a key component; and transmitting the signature, the nonce, a security parameter, and the at least one of the identifier and the key component, wherein the security parameter associates a user identity with a public key, the public key being associated with the private key.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure is directed to a secure method of lawful interception.

BACKGROUND

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is currently considering several lawful interception and key generation approaches for IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) media security. One such key generation approach is Multimedia Internet KEYing—Identity Based Authentication Key Exchange (MIKEY-IBAKE), which is an example of the well-known Diffie-Hellman key exchange. The goal of such a key generation protocol is to establish agreement on a session key K_sess between two UEs, where UE stands for user equipment

As shown in FIG. 1, the steps in the MIKEY-IBAKE process can be summarized as follows: (1) UE₁ generates private key information K₁ by using a its key generation unit (KGU); (2) UE₁ computes K₁P using K₁ and a publicly known elliptic curve point P; (3) UE₁ transmits K₁P to UE₂ using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling via device CSCF₁ and device CSCF₂, each of which implements a Call Session Control Function (CSCF); (4) UE₂ generates private key information K₂ by using its KGU; (5) UE₂ computes K₂P using K₂ and the publicly known elliptic curve point P; (6) UE₂ transmits K₂P to UE₁ using SIP signaling; and (7) UE₁ and UE₂ each generate K_sess=K₁K₂P using [K₁, K₂P] and [K₁P, K₂], respectively.

In FIG. 1, the only entities with knowledge of the session key are UE₁ and UE₂. However, in addition to providing secure communications between UEs, government regulations also require that lawful interception be supported.

FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional key generation process allowing for lawful interception. As shown in FIG. 2, each KGU in a corresponding UE_i produces corresponding keying information K_i in a defined way from a corresponding master key KM_i and a timestamp Tα. The master key KM_i is known only to the corresponding UE_i and a corresponding network device that is configured to perform a network intercept function under control of a corresponding law enforcement agency (LEA), as illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, CSCF₁ and a corresponding intercept device of LEA₁ are part of a first network, while CSCF₂ and a corresponding intercept device of LEA₂ are part of a second network, which is in communication with the first network.

Further, the timestamp Tα used in generating the corresponding keying information K_i is transmitted along with K_iP in SIP by each corresponding UE₁. Both K_iP and Tα can be stored in one or more of the CSCF devices (CSCF₁ and CSCF₂) in the respective networks, as shown in FIG. 2. In particular, note that FIG. 2 shows the general case of UEs located in different networks, thus requiring separate CSCF devices. When UEs are located in a single network, only one CSCF device need be used.

The steps taken by the interception device of LEA₂ in generating the session key K_sess for the purpose of lawful interception are as follows: (1) retrieve KM₂ (used by UE₂) from internal storage, and retrieve K₁P and Tα from device CSCF₂; (2) generate keying information K₂=f(KM₂,Tα)); and (3) generate K_sess=K₁K₂P. The interception device of LEA₂ can now decrypt traffic between UE₁ and UE₂ and forward it to LEA₂. The interception process for the interception device of LEA₁ is analogous, but uses KM₁, Tα, and K₂P.

Further, note that the above lawful interception process can be generalized so that UE₁ and UE₂ use different timestamps for key generation and/or signaling (e.g., Tα₁, Tα₂).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the embodiments described therein, and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates the MIKEY-IBAKE process;

FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional lawful interception process;

FIG. 3 illustrates a process that prevents lawful interception;

FIG. 4 illustrates a novel method for secure lawful interception according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the steps in a novel method of secure lawful interception according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a novel method of secure lawful interception using IMEI according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a novel method of secure lawful interception using MAC tags according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 8 illustrates hardware that can be used in the disclosed embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Lawful interception for the MIKEY-IBAKE process relies on network knowledge of the timestamp Tα used to generate keying information. However, a subversive user could change the software running on a UE to avoid lawful interception by using a timestamp in generating key information that is different from the timestamp signaled in SIP, thus generating a different key component (K_2βP), but transmitting a timestamp Tα that was not used to generate the key component K_2βP.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, suppose UE₂'s user is malicious and wants to prevent lawful interception in his network. He thus rebuilds the kernel software that runs on his device and modifies the SIP stack such that the timestamp Tα used for signaling on SIP is different from the timestamp Tβ used for generating the keying information. As a result, the network is unable to regenerate the necessary keying information K_2β or UE₂, thus preventing lawful interception.

In this example, the second network stores K_2βP, and thus has the necessary information to determine that UE₂ has not used Tα in generating K_2β.

If device CSCF₂ in the second network detects the misuse at call set-up, the network could disallow the communication. However, to be effective, the network would be required to verify K_2βP in at least some percentage of call set-ups, which is highly undesirable from an operator's point of view. Operators strongly prefer any such checking, if necessary, be done at the UE.

Alternatively device CSCF₂ in the second network could verify K_2βP as a part of the lawful interception process. However, any action such as disabling the phone or simply cutting communication, would break an existing requirement that lawful interception be undetectable by any entity except the requesting law enforcement agency and the intercepting network.

An additional consequence of this requirement is that the second network cannot work with the first network for lawful interception. For instance, in the above example, the first network has all the information necessary for lawful interception, i.e., K_2βP, Tα, and KM₁. However, because LEA₂ may not necessarily wish to reveal that lawful interception is occurring, any final key exchange protocol must enable the second network to carry out lawful interception without the need for contacting any additional entity.

Therefore, while the second network can detect malformed key information in the current MIKEY-IBAKE process, this process requires further modification in order to become a feasible solution meeting all current requirements.

Further, it should be noted that if both UE₁ and UE₂ have the freedom to modify their kernels, they are also free to implement any key agreement scheme, potentially even one different from a standardized key agreement scheme, but with signaling that is compliant. With the arrival of open source operating systems, such as Android, the ability to modify a kernel is, unfortunately, an accepted fact today. In fact, that ability is often touted as being desirable. Since lawful interception becomes highly improbable in such a scenario, the problem addressed herein is that of protecting against one of two UEs maliciously modifying its kernel to prevent lawful interception.

A related problem is SIP signaling of the International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI), which is an identifier of the mobile equipment (ME), i.e, of the UE not including the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card. The IMEI is used in some jurisdictions as the identifier under which lawful interception occurs. However, due to counterfeiting, more than one phone may share the same IMEI. While this is less of a problem in Western regions of the world, it is quite problematic in others. If multiple MEs share the same IMEI, then specifying the targeted ME becomes a more-involved process, making lawful interception more difficult. Additionally, if a UE modifies its kernel, there is a danger the UE may also signal a false IMEI, perhaps preventing lawful interception through IMEI targeting. Thus, a solution for the secure signaling of the IMEI is also needed.

In conventional systems, the subversive user will often be successful since there is insufficient security protection of the timestamp Tα used by each KGU. What is needed is a method to guarantee that the timestamp used by the KGU is also signaled in SIP.

Accordingly, there is provided a method for secure communication, comprising: (1) generating a signature using a private key, a nonce, and at least one of an identifier and a key component; and (2) transmitting the signature, the nonce, a security parameter, and the at least one of the identifier and the key component, wherein the security parameter associates a user identity with a public key, the public key being associated with the private key. The identifier is one of an International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI), a Globally Routable User Agent URI (GRUU), an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and a Temporary International Mobile Subscriber Identity (TIMSI). Further, the nonce is one of a timestamp, a random number, and a sequence number and the security parameter is a certificate.

In another embodiment, there is provided a method for secure communication, the method comprising: (1) receiving a nonce, at least one of an identifier and a key component, a security parameter, and a signature that was generated using a private key, the nonce, and the at least one of the identifier and the key component; and (2) verifying the nonce and the at least one of the identifier and the key component using the received signature and the security parameter, wherein the security parameter associates a user identity with a public key, the public key being associated with the private key. When verification is successful in the verifying step, the method further includes (1) generating a session key using the at least one of the identifier and the key component; (2) generating a second signature using a second private key, a second nonce, and at least one of a second identifier and a second key component; and (3) transmitting the second signature, the second nonce, a second security parameter, and the at least one of the second identifier and the second key component, wherein the second security parameter associates a second user identity with a second public key, the second public key being associated with the second private key.

In another embodiment, there is provided a method for secure communication, the method comprising: (1) generating a MAC tag using a MAC key, a nonce, and at least one of an identifier and a key component; and (2) transmitting the MAC tag, the nonce, and the at least one of the identifier and the key component.

In another embodiment, there is provided a method for secure communication, the method comprising: (1) receiving a nonce, at least one of an identifier and a key component, and a MAC tag that was generated using the nonce, the at least one of the identifier and the key component, and a MAC key; (2) verifying the nonce and the at least one of the identifier and the key component using the received MAC tag.

In particular, in one embodiment, the KGU of a UE_j signs the timestamp Tα and the key component K_jP using a private key PR_j obtained at the time of manufacture. The public key Pu_j associated with the private key PR_j is certified by a certificate q, which can also be provided to the KGU at the time of manufacture. Note that while the public key is described as being separate from the certificate, in general, the public key can form part of the certificate.

FIG. 4 provides an illustration of a method of key component protection according to one embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, after signing Tα□□ and K_jP using the function S_j=Sig(K_jP, Tα, PR_j)□, each KGU passes not only the key component K_jP and the timestamp Tα to the software, but also the signature S_j, the public key Pu_j, and the certificate C_j for transmission on SIP. Note that since the KGUs are often implemented in hardware, the KGUs are expected to be significantly more robust to tampering by a malicious user. Further, by passing S_j, Pu_j, and C_j to SIP for signaling, both the receiving UE and the network can be assured of the timestamp Tα used in generating K_sess.

While it is necessary that the key components and timestamps transmitted by UE₁ and UE₂ are verified during the key generation process, it is preferable that the verification entity be the KGU or some other entity of the UE. Additionally the network CSCF devices can also perform this verification. However, it is likely that operators would prefer not to verify every key exchange, and instead would push such checking to the UE rather than perform this task within the network, other than for lawful interception warrants, in order to lighten the network load. When verification of the timestamp fails, the connection attempt can be terminated by the verification entity in which the failure occurs. If a UE refuses a connection due to failed verification, an alert can be signaled to the network, e.g., as a first step in blacklisting the transgressing UE.

FIG. 5 illustrates the steps in the key component protection method according to one embodiment.

In step 501, UE₁'s KGU generates the key component K₁ and the signature S₁.

In step 502, UE₁ transmits (K₁P, Tα, [S₁ Pu₁ C₁])_SIP1) in the SIP header to device CSCF₁.

In step 503, device CSCF₁ stores a copy of (K₁P, Tα, [S₁ Pu₁ C₁])_SIP1) in addition to forwarding (K₁P, Tα, [S₁ Pu₁ C₁])_SIP1) to device CSCF₂.

In step 504, device CSCF₂ stores a copy of (K₁P, Tα, [S₁ Pu₁ C₁])_SIP1) in case it is needed for lawful interception. Device CSCF₂ also forwards (K₁P, Tα, [S₁ Pu₁ C₁])_SIP1) to UE₂.

In step 505a, UE₂ receives (K₁P, Tα, [S₁ Pu₁ C₁])_SIP1) and checks the signature S₁. If the signature is verified, UE₂ computes the session key K_sess=K₁K₂P in step 505b, then proceeds to step 506. Otherwise, the connection is refused and the key agreement protocol terminated.

In step 506, UE₂'s KGU generates the key component K₂ and the signature S₂.

In step 507, UE₂ transmits (K₂P, Tα, [S₂ Pu₂ C₂])_SIP2) in the SIP header to device CSCF₂.

In step 508, device CSCF₂ stores a copy of (K₂P, Tα, [S₂ Pu₂ C₂])_SIP2) in addition to forwarding (K₂P, Tα, [S₂ Pu₂ C₂])_SIP2) to device CSCF₁.

In step 509, device CSCF₁ stores a copy of (K₂P, Tα, [S₂ Pu₂ C₂])_SIP2) in case it is needed for lawful interception. Device CSCF₁ also forwards (K₂P, Tα, [S₂ Pu₂ C₂])_SIP2) to UE₁.

In step 510a, UE₁ receives (K₂P, Tα, [S₂ Pu₂ C₂])_SIP2) and checks the signature S₂. If the signature is verified, UE₁ computes the session key K_sess=K₁K₂P in step 510b and protected communication commences. Otherwise, the connection is refused and the key agreement protocol terminated.

Note that this embodiment includes the signing of parameters used in key generation, and thus need not be limited to the example case of the MIKEY-IBAKE key agreement protocol discussed above. This embodiment can be extended to other key agreement protocols currently under consideration for IMS Media Security, such as MIKEY-TICKET and Session Description protocol security description (SDES).

Similarly, the signed parameter need not be a timestamp and need not be the same in both UEs. For example, each UE could use its own specific nonce value in generating the keying information K_j, which it signs and which is signaled in some fashion to the target UE through the network. A signature on the nonce value will enable it to be verified, similarly to the timestamp discussed above. The nonce can be, e.g., a timestamp, a random number, or a sequence number.

In another embodiment, to protect the integrity of the IMEI, a hardware portion of the UE signs a nonce and the IMEI. The nonce N_i can be, e.g., randomly generated or be the timestamp Tα signaled in SIP. As shown in FIG. 6, instead of signaling the IMEI alone, a protocol contains the elements IMEI_j, N_j, and [S_i Pu_i C_i], where the additional information N_i and [S_i Pu_i C_i] is carried in an extension field.

Similar to the case in key generation, the integrity protection of IMEI₁ can be verified by any one of several entities, such as LEA₁, LEA₂, UE₂ or any network (including either CSCF device). As discussed above, it is preferable that such checking be done by UEs, and connections refused in the case of verification failure.

If a UE refuses a connection due to a failed verification, an alert can be signaled to the network, e.g. as a first step in blacklisting a likely counterfeit UE. Since the verification information (IMEI_i, N_i, [S_i, Pu_i, C_i]) is stored in the CSCF device, the network also has the means to re-validate any such alert as a further step in determining a counterfeit UE.

In another embodiment, instead of using a signature mechanism, each KGU computes a Message Authentication Code (MAC) tag from a MAC key. As shown in FIG. 7, the signature, the public key, and the certificate used in the embodiment of FIG. 4 are replaced by the computed MAC tag.

Note that since the use of a MAC tag amounts essentially to a symmetric key signature scheme, the interception device associated with a given UE network and the corresponding KGU of the UE must first agree on a MAC key (KMAC_i) with which to compute the MAC tag, as shown in FIG. 7. Note that this embodiment has an advantage in complexity over the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 since generation of a MAC tag is cheaper than that of a digital signature.

However, one disadvantage of this embodiment is that only the interception function in the UE's current network stores the MAC key KMAC_j, which is needed to verify the MAC tag of UE₁. Thus, storage of the MAC tag may only be needed in the CSCF device directly serving the UE. Further, UE₂ can no longer verify the timestamp of UE₁ (or visa versa). Stated differently, interception device of LEA₁ is the only entity outside of UE₁ that can verify MAC₁ as the MAC tag computed for [K₁P,Tα].

The embodiment of FIG. 4 achieves the goal of lawful interception by binding the Elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) key component K_iP to the timestamp used in deriving K_i. In other alternative methods, this binding can be achieved in different ways.

For example, in a first alternative method, the session key can be derived using a key derivation function (KDF) that takes as input the ECDH-generated key as well as the two timestamps (nonces).

In a second alternative method, both time stamps are multiplied as scalars by the ECDH-generated key. For example, UE₂ calculates K_sess=Tα₁Tα₂K₂K₁P after checking that Tα₁Tα₂K₂ mod n≠1, where n is the group order, i.e., the order of P.

A third alternative method is a slightly modified version of Elliptic Curve Menezes-Qu-Vanstone (ECMQV) that incorporates both time stamps, which are here called Tα_{1 □} and Tα₂, in the session key calculation. The timestamps are also treated as nonces. This approach is more bandwidth efficient since a signature is not signaled on SIP, and is more calculation efficient compared to the timestamp signature verification method.

In this third alternative method, UE₂ has a long term key (d₂, Pu₂), where Pu₂ is in UE₂'s certificate C₂. Here d₂ can be derived from KM₂ through a KDF, since LEA₂ is able to calculate it. Alternatively, d₂ can be another ephemeral derived through KDF along with k₂.

Then, the sequence of calculations in the KGU of UE₂ is:k₂=f(KM₂,Tα₂); (same as K₂ as calculated in FIG. 2)  (1)G₂=k₂P; (as before, here ECMQV starts)  (2)s₂=k₂+Tα₂×(G₂)d₂(mod n); (ECMQV with the addition of Tα₂)  (3)UE₂ sends [G₂,Tα₂,C₂] to UE₁ and UE₂ receives [G₁,Tα₁,C₁] from UE₁;  (4)K_sess=hs₂(G₁+[Tα₁×(G₁)]Pu₁); (ECMQV with the addition of Tα₁)  (5)

Note that while calculating s₂, UE₂ checks that Tα₂×(G₂) mod n≠1, otherwise the process goes back to step 1. Further, while calculating K_sess, UE₂ checks that Tα₁×(G₁) mod n≠1, otherwise the process aborts.

If UE₂ attempts to signal on SIP a Tα₂′ that is different from Tα₂, the session key will not be established correctly. This assures LEA₂ that Tα₂ is the one used in the calculation inside KGU₂. An extra check can be performed by LEA₂: (1) k₂′=f(KM₂, Tα₂), and (2) check that G₂′=k₂′ P is equal to G₂.

Also note the second and third alternative methods described above both require some modification to the key protocol itself, and thus might entail greater changes to prior agreements within 3GPP.

The embodiments described above have several advantages in that they (1) can secure integrity protection of keying information and UE-identifier information using a MAC tag or signature; (2) can be used to refuse connection and/or reporting of malicious UEs by other UEs; (3) can be used by the network as a means of blacklisting counterfeit or compromised UEs; and (3) if the target UE or KGU are verification entities, the embodiments place no significant load on the network, thus reducing network implementation concerns.

Devices CSCF₁ and CSCF₂, as well as the intercepting devices of LEA₁ and LEA₂, can be implemented by one or more computers and/or one or more specialized circuits. A hardware description of such a computer is described with reference to FIG. 8. Further, each UE includes at least one or more processors (e.g., CPUs), a memory, a display, and a communication interface. The processor is configured to execute software to perform the functionality of the UEs described above. The KGUs described above can be implemented as a specialized hardware circuit or as software executed on the one or more processors.

As shown in FIG. 8, the process data and instructions may be stored in memory 302. These processes and instructions may also be stored on a storage medium disk 304 such as a hard drive (HDD) or portable storage medium or may be stored remotely. Further, the claimed advancements are not limited by the form of the computer-readable media on which the instructions of the inventive process are stored. For example, the instructions may be stored on CDs, DVDs, in FLASH memory, RAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, hard disk or any other information processing device with which the computer communicates, such as a server.

Further, the claimed embodiments may be provided as a utility application, background daemon, or component of an operating system, or combination thereof, executing in conjunction with CPU 300 and an operating system such as Microsoft Windows 7, UNIX, Solaris, LINUX, Apple MAC-OS and other systems known to those skilled in the art.

CPU 301 may be a Xenon or Core processor from Intel of America or an Opteron processor from AMD of America, or may be other processor types that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the CPU 301 may be implemented on an FPGA, ASIC, PLD or using discrete logic circuits, as one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize. Further, CPU 301 may be implemented as multiple processors cooperatively working in parallel to perform the instructions of the inventive processes described above.

The computer in FIG. 8 also includes a network controller 306, such as an Intel Ethernet PRO network interface card from Intel Corporation of America, for interfacing with network 399. As can be appreciated, the network 399 can be a public network, such as the Internet, or a private network such as an LAN or WAN network, or any combination thereof and can also include PSTN or ISDN sub-networks. The network 399 can also be wired, such as an Ethernet network, or can be wireless such as a cellular network including EDGE, 3G and 4G wireless cellular systems. The wireless network can also be WiFi, Bluetooth, or any other wireless form of communication that is known. The network controller 306 may be used to establish a communication channel between the two parties, possibly through the network 399.

The computer further includes a display controller 308, such as a NVIDIA GeForce GTX or Quadro graphics adaptor from NVIDIA Corporation of America for interfacing with display 310, such as a Hewlett Packard HPL2445w LCD monitor. A general purpose I/O interface 312 interfaces with a keyboard and/or mouse 514 as well as a touch screen panel 316 on or separate from display 310. General purpose I/O interface also connects to a variety of peripherals 318 including printers and scanners, such as an OfficeJet or DeskJet from Hewlett Packard.

A sound controller 320 is also provided in the computer, such as Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium from Creative, to interface with speakers/microphone 322 thereby providing sounds and/or music. The speakers/microphone 322 can also be used to accept dictated words as commands for controlling the computer or for providing location and/or property information with respect to the target property.

The general purpose storage controller 324 connects the storage medium disk 304 with communication bus 326, which may be an ISA, EISA, VESA, PCI, or similar, for interconnecting all of the components of the computer. A description of the general features and functionality of the display 310, keyboard and/or mouse 314, as well as the display controller 308, storage controller 324, network controller 306, sound controller 320, and general purpose I/O interface 312 is omitted herein for brevity as these features are known.

In the above description, any processes, descriptions or blocks in flowcharts should be understood to represent modules, segments, or portions of code that include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included within the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present advancements in which functions may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods, apparatuses and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods, apparatuses and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

Claims

1. A method, by an electronic device, for secure communication, comprising: generating, by a processor of the electronic device, a signature using a private key, a nonce, and at least one of an identifier and a key component, at least the signature being destined for reception by at least one other electronic device;establishing, by the processor, a secure communication session with at least one other electronic device based on generating the signature and at least session security data associated with the at least one other electronic device and obtained by the electronic device, wherein the session security data is generated, at least in part, by the at least one other electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is one of an International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI), a Globally Routable User Agent URI (GRUU), an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and a Temporary International Mobile Subscriber Identity (TIMSI).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the nonce is one of a timestamp, a random number, and a sequence number.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the secure communication session is further established with the at least one electronic device based on a security parameter, wherein the security parameter is a certificate that associates a user identity with a public key, the public key being associated with the private key.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: generating the key component using a master key, the nonce, and a known elliptic curve point.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting the signature and a public key associated with the private key.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving the session security data, wherein the session security data comprises a second nonce, at least one of a second identifier and a second key component, a second security parameter, and a second signature that was generated using a second private key, the second nonce, and the at least one of the second identifier and the second key component, andwherein establishing the secure communication session comprises verifying the second nonce and the at least one of the second identifier and the second key component using the received second signature and the second security parameter, wherein the second security parameter associates a second user identity with a second public key, the second public key being associated with the second private key; andgenerating a session key using the at least one of the second identifier and the second key component, when verification is successful in the verifying step.

8. A method, by an electronic device, for secure communication, comprising: establishing, by a processor of the electronic device, a secure communication session with at least one other electronic device based on session security data associated with the at least one other electronic device and obtained by the electronic device, wherein the session security data is generated, at least in part, by the at least one other electronic device, the session security data comprisinga nonce, at least one of an identifier and a key component, a security parameter, and a signature that was generated by the at least one other electronic device using a private key, the nonce, and the at least one of the identifier and the key component.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein prior to establishing the secure communication session, the method further comprising: verifying the nonce and the at least one of the identifier and the key component using the received signature and the security parameter; andgenerating a session key using the at least one of the identifier and the key component.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising, wherein establishing the secure communication session comprises: generating a second signature using a second private key, a second nonce, and at least one of a second identifier and a second key component; andtransmitting the second signature, the second nonce, a second security parameter, and the at least one of the second identifier and the second key component, wherein the second security parameter associates a second user identity with a second public key, the second public key being associated with the second private key.

11. An apparatus for secure communication, comprising: a processing circuit configured to generate a signature using a private key, a nonce, and at least one of an identifier and a key component; anda transmitter configured to transmit session security data comprising the signature, the nonce, a security parameter, and the at least one of the identifier and the key component, where the session security data is destined for reception by at least one electronic device for establishing a secure communication session therewith, and wherein the security parameter associates a user identity with a public key, the public key being associated with the private key.

12. An apparatus for secure communication, comprising: a processing circuit configured to establish a secure communication session with at least one other electronic device based on session security data associated with the at least one other electronic device and obtained by the electronic device, the session security data comprising a nonce, at least one of an identifier and a key component, a security parameter, and a signature that was generated by the at least one other electronic device using a private key, the nonce, and the at least one of the identifier and the key component.