Securing IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) infrastructures: protection against attacks

Next Generation Networks converge over the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) platform to control the delivery of user-centric secure broadband quad-play services and will enable users to benefit from advanced real-time services. Apart from deploying flexible and cost saving multimedia applications, operators need to be aware that core infrastructure and subscribers are protected against attacks and service abuse from malicious users, infected devices, hackers or spammers. While IMS provides privacy and validation through authentication and encryption, there are open issues towards the protection of subscribers and infrastructure. This paper includes current IMS security and possible threats and attacks. Possible solutions for providing highly trustworthy IMS based multimedia services are investigated.