Establishing a robust communications security infrastructure for the CBRS band is an important element in addressing the requirements for the FCC’s Part 96 rules and supporting the broader needs of industry.
Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 25, 2017
The Wireless Innovation Forum (WInnForum) a non-profit international industry association dedicated to driving the future of radio communications and systems worldwide, announced today a new accreditation program for Citizen’s Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) Root of Trust Operators. A supporting Request for Proposals seeking candidates to be accredited to operate a Root of Trust certificate for the CBRS Public Key Infrastructure has been issued and is available here: http://www.wirelessinnovation.org/accredited-cbrs-root-ca-operators.
Three recently approved documents provide the foundation of the new accreditation program: Requirements for Commercial Operation in the U.S. 3550-3700 MHz Citizens Broadband Radio Service Band Working Document WINNF-15-S-0112; WInnForum CBRS Certificate Policy Specification Document WINNF-17-S-0022; and CBRS PKI Root of Trust Operator Requirements Document WINNF-16-P-0235. Cumulatively, these documents represent a policy for implementing the Forum’s comprehensive communications security specification and provide details on the Forum’s process for accreditation of Root of Trust operators to administer that policy; the PKI Root of Trust report provides clear guidelines for application/certification as an operator.
“Establishing a robust communications security infrastructure for the CBRS band is an important element in addressing the requirements for the FCC’s Part 96 rules and supporting the broader needs of industry,” said Lee Pucker, CEO of the Wireless Innovation Forum. “Establishing accredited Root of Trust operators is the first milestone in this part of the CBRS commercialization process, and the WInnForum is excited to be issuing this RFP.”
The documents were completed by the Forum’s Spectrum Sharing Committee and are available in the group’s Work Products web page: http://www.wirelessinnovation.org/ssc-public-files.
CBRS certificates are the basis for a number of security services including authentication, confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation. In order for a certificate to be in compliance with CBRS specifications, it shall comply with WInnForum CBRS Certificate Policy Specification Document WINNF-17-S-0022. This Policy assumes that the reader is generally familiar with Digital Signatures, PKIs and CBRS specifications.
The Certificate Policy (CP) is also an integral part of the CBRS PKI documentation and sets the minimum standards for governing, administrating and operating the PKI. Ancillary security and operational documents may supplement the CP in setting more detailed requirements. Additionally, each CBRS PKI Certificate Authority (CA) is governed by a Certification Practice Statement(s) (CPS), which describes how the applicable CP requirements are met by that particular CA. CAs operating in the CBRS PKI shall draft, implement, and maintain a CPS.
The CP describes the overall business, legal, and technical infrastructure of the CBRS PKI including appropriate applications for, and the assurance levels associated with the PKI certificates, obligations of CAs, minimum requirements for audit and related security and practices reviews, methods to confirm the identity of Certificate Applicants, and more.
The SSC benefits from participation of a broad-based group that includes wireless carriers, network equipment manufacturers, potential SAS and ESC Administrators, satellite operators, existing 3650-3700 MHz band licensees, and other parties with an interest in the 3550 MHz band. A complete listing of the reports, recommendations and specifications produced by WInnForum members can be found here: http://www.wirelessinnovation.org/ssc-public-files.
Supported by platinum sponsors Google, Motorola Solutions, Leonardo and Thales, WInnForum has several working groups focusing on projects related to SCA and Spectrum Innovation. Visit http://www.WirelessInnovation.org to learn more. Individuals or organizations wishing to participate in WInnForum Working Groups should contact Lee Pucker at Lee.Pucker(at)WirelessInnovation(dot)org.
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About the Wireless Innovation Forum
Established in 1996, The Wireless Innovation Forum (SDR Forum Version 2.0) is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation dedicated to advocating for spectrum innovation, and advancing radio technologies that support essential or critical communications worldwide. Members bring a broad base of experience in Software Defined Radio (SDR), Cognitive Radio(CR) and Dynamic Spectrum Access (DSA) technologies in diverse markets and at all levels of the wireless value chain to address emerging wireless communications requirements. To learn more about The Wireless Innovation Forum, its meetings and membership benefits, visit http://www.WirelessInnovation.org.