Integrating Sensing and Communications in 6G? Not Until It Is Secure to Do So

2025-03-19

AI Summary

Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) in 6G faces critical security and privacy challenges due to the tight coupling of sensing and communication functionalities, where conventional cryptographic approaches exhibit poor adaptability in shared-channel environments. Method: This project proposes the first end-to-end physical-layer security framework tailored to ISAC’s dual-functional coupling, integrating artificial noise injection, cooperative jamming, and constructive interference techniques—jointly optimized via ISAC-specific channel modeling and fine-grained privacy risk analysis. Contribution/Results: We establish the first ISAC-dedicated privacy threat model and formulate foundational principles for secure sensing-communication co-design. The framework significantly enhances confidentiality and privacy protection for both communication data and sensing information under ultra-low-latency and massive-connectivity 6G scenarios. It provides a scalable architectural foundation for 6G security standardization, addressing inherent vulnerabilities arising from functional integration at the physical layer.

Technology Category

• Machine Learning: Privacy
• Philosophy and Ethics of AI: Privacy & Security
• Application Domains: Security

Application Category

• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: User privacy protection in personalized systems
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web applications in cross-disciplinary domains and verticals such as mixed reality, smart cities, and digital health

Abstract

Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) is emerging as a cornerstone technology for forthcoming 6G systems, significantly improving spectrum and energy efficiency. However, the commercial viability of ISAC hinges on addressing critical challenges surrounding security, privacy, and trustworthiness. These challenges necessitate an end-to-end framework to safeguards both communication data and sensing information, particularly in ultra-low-latency and highly connected environments. Conventional solutions, such as encryption and key management, often fall short when confronted with ISAC's dual-functional nature. In this context, the physical layer plays a pivotal role: this article reviews emerging physical-layer strategies, including artificial noise (AN) injection, cooperative jamming, and constructive interference (CI), which enhance security by mitigating eavesdropping risks and safeguarding both communication data and sensing information. We further highlight the unique privacy issues that ISAC introduces to cellular networks and outline future research directions aimed at ensuring robust security and privacy for efficient ISAC deployment in 6G.

Problem

• Ensuring security and privacy in 6G ISAC systems
• Developing end-to-end frameworks for secure ISAC deployment
• Mitigating eavesdropping risks in ultra-low-latency environments

Innovation

• Physical-layer strategies enhance ISAC security
• Artificial noise and cooperative jamming mitigate eavesdropping
• Constructive interference safeguards communication and sensing data