Invention Reference Number
Unauthorized private cellular base stations pose a significant cybersecurity risk, enabling malicious activities such as data interception, privacy violations, and unauthorized network access. This novel technology provides a passive detection method for identifying and locating these rogue devices within designated areas, such as campuses, research facilities, or critical infrastructure. Unlike traditional methods, this approach does not require interaction with cellular networks or service provider infrastructure, ensuring a non-intrusive and cost-effective security enhancement.
Description
This innovative detection system leverages passive radio frequency (RF) monitoring to identify anomalies in cellular network broadcasts. By analyzing key characteristics such as signal strength, unique provider identifiers, and broadcast behavior, the system establishes a baseline of expected transmissions within an area. Deviations from this baseline – such as unexpected tracking area codes, physical cell identifiers, or unusual signal strengths accompanied by deviations in cell tower infrastructure identification – may indicate the presence of unauthorized private cellular base stations or potential jamming attacks. The method eliminates the need for direct communication with cellular providers or reliance on subscriber devices, using commercially available software-defined radios and open-source analysis tools for real-time monitoring and alerting.
Benefits
- Passive detection: Identifies unauthorized cellular infrastructure without active network interrogation
- Cost-effective and scalable: Utilizes commercial off-the-shelf components and open-source software
- Enhanced security: Strengthens cybersecurity posture in critical environments by mitigating rogue network threats
Applications and Industries
- Critical infrastructure protection: Safeguards facilities such as power plants, transportation hubs, and financial institutions
- Enterprise and government cybersecurity: Enhances security measures for research labs, corporate campuses, and government agencies
- Healthcare privacy protection: Enhances security for hospitals and patient care facilities by mitigating unauthorized cellular access threats
Contact
To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.
