Securing Packet and Optical Transport Connectivity Services in Multi-Stakeholder Untrusted Networks

This paper presents a security and trust solution for 6G transport networks, focusing on the integration of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT), Closed-Loop (CL) automation, and trust-based security management across multi-domain, multi-provider environments. The proposed solution is designed to enhance the security of End-to-End (E2E) services by enabling operators to define security and trust requirements while allowing providers to fulfilconnectivity services needs dynamically. Key elements of the solution include blockchain-based smart contracts to manage operator-transport provider agreements and Level-of-Trust (LoT) metrics for continuous trust evaluation. The paper highlights the role of security service level agreements (SSLAs) and trust-aware SLAs (TSLAs) in ensuring the integrity of service deployment and operations. Additionally, the integration of real-time monitoring and automated mitigation actions via CLs ensures that the system adapts to threats dynamically, maintaining continuous service security. The use of Artificial Intelligence -driven analytics for threat detection and mitigation further supports the robust security framework proposed for next-generation 6G systems. A multi-stakeholder scenario based on the use of different optical and packet-based transport domains is used in the experimental test case to validate the system’s effectiveness in dynamically reconfiguring security resources and adapting to evolving threats, showcasing its potential to meet the high-security demands of 6G networks. The solution ensures uninterrupted service and robust protection in multi-provider environments.