Secure Network Functions Using Digital Certificates and CA
Summary
USPTO published patent application US20260100849A1 titled 'Supporting Secure Communications Between Network Functions.' The application discloses a method for obtaining and distributing digital certificates from a certification authority (CA) to network functions deployed across multiple network slices, based on isolation requirements and interface attributes. The method also includes transmitting trusted CA certificates to connected network functions to enable secure communications.
What changed
USPTO published patent application US20260100849A1 disclosing a method for securing communications between network functions (NFs) deployed across network slices. The method involves obtaining CA-signed digital certificates based on NF attributes and isolation requirements, and distributing trusted CA certificates to connected NFs. The invention addresses certificate management challenges in virtualized network environments.
For technology companies and telecommunications firms developing 5G/6G network infrastructure, this patent application indicates potential intellectual property considerations for implementations involving digital certificate-based security in network function virtualization. Companies developing related security solutions should review the claims for potential licensing implications or design-around considerations.
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Archived snapshot
Apr 12, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
SUPPORTING SECURE COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN NETWORK FUNCTIONS
Application US20260100849A1 Kind: A1 Apr 09, 2026
Inventors
Barbara GHIGLINO, Valentino IGNOTI
Abstract
A method for supporting secure communications between network functions (NFs) deployed in a network having two or more network slices is provided. The method is performed by a computing device and comprises: for each one of the NFs, and for each interface of the NF, if the interface does not have a valid digital certificate: obtaining based on one or more attributes and on one or more isolation requirements associated with the NF, a digital certificate signed by a certification authority (CA), and a trusted CA certificate of the CA, transmitting, to the NF, the obtained digital certificate; identifying one or more further NFs connected to the NF; and if one or more of the one or more further NFs do not have the trusted CA certificate, transmitting the trusted CA certificate to the one or more further NFs not having the trusted CA certificate.
CPC Classifications
H04L 9/3263 H04L 9/30
Filing Date
2022-10-24
Application No.
19120881
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