Secure precision time protocol in packet switched networks

Abstract

IEEE 1588-2008 protocol is used to provide time and frequency synchronization in network. As time and frequency distribution protocols are becoming increasingly common and widely deployed across the networks, concern about their exposure to security threats and vulnerabilities are increasing. One can use external security mechanisms like IPSEC or MACSEC to safe-guard network from various attacks and not specific to timing protocols. To address security related threats IEEE 1588-2019 draft standard D1.5 defines a “PTP integrated security(PTPIS)” mechanism which is complex and not completely integrated because key management mechanism is left open. A simple and “ Fully PTP Integrated Security(FPTPIS)” mechanism which includes key management is proposed by introducing a new general message and TLV. This paper describes how new general message and TLV enables “fully PTPIS” and thus solving the security requirements of the RFC7384.