Multi-Domain Security for 6G ISAC: Challenges and Opportunities in Transportation
Journal article, 2026
Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) will be central to 6G-enabled transportation, providing both seamless connectivity and high-precision sensing. However, this tight integration exposes attack points not encountered in pure sensing and communication systems. In this article, we identify unique ISAC-induced security challenges and opportunities in three interrelated domains: cyber-physical (where manipulation of sensors and actuators can mislead perception and control), physical-layer (where over-the-air signals are vulnerable to spoofing and jamming) and protocol (where complex cryptographic protocols cannot detect lower-layer attacks). Building on these insights, we put forward a multi-domain security vision for 6G transportation and propose an integrated security framework that unifies protection across domains by leveraging existing ISAC measurements for lightweight cross-checks.
Privacy
Protocols
Integrated sensing and communication
Security
Cryptography
Authentication
Joining processes
Licenses
Programmable logic arrays
Physical layer
Author
Musa Furkan Keskin
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Muralikrishnan Srinivasan
Indian Institute of Technology
Onur Gunlu
Technische Universität Dortmund
Linköping University
Hui Chen
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
Panagiotis Papadimitratos
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
Magnus Almgren
Chalmers, Computer Science and Engineering (Chalmers), Computer and Network Systems
University of Gothenburg
Zhongxia Simon He
Chalmers, Microtechnology and Nanoscience (MC2), Microwave Electronics
Henk Wymeersch
Chalmers, Electrical Engineering, Communication, Antennas and Optical Networks
IEEE Communications Magazine
0163-6804 (ISSN) 15581896 (eISSN)
Vol. 64 9 70-77Location Integrity and Security for Beyond 5G Systems
Swedish Research Council (VR) (2023-03821), 2023-12-01 -- 2027-11-30.
6G DISAC
European Commission (EC) (101139130-6G-DISAC), 2024-01-01 -- 2026-12-31.
Localization and Sensing for Perceptive Cell-Free Networks Towards 6G
Swedish Research Council (VR) (2024-04390), 2025-01-01 -- 2028-12-31.
Areas of Advance
Transport
Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)
Communication Systems
Embedded Systems
DOI
10.1109/MCOM.001.2500712