Secure Semantic Communications: Challenges, Approaches, and Opportunities

Semantic communication has emerged as a promising technique that can integrate the meaning and context of information into a communication process. It goes beyond raw data transmission and enables a sender and a receiver to transmit and recover semantic messages through their respective knowledge bases. However, it is challenging to achieve secure semantic communication due to complicated security and privacy threats in semantic communication. In this article, we first introduce the background and architecture of semantic communication. Then, we sort out multiple potential security threats existing in each step of semantic communication. Following that, we summarize the requirements for secure semantic communication and provide possible defenses for each type of attacks. We also present a case study to illustrate the training process of a reliable semantic encoder/decoder. Finally, we discuss open issues and future directions in this research field.

Introduction

Semantic communication has garnered significant interest as a novel architectural paradigm within the context of the sixth generation (6G) technology, especially when virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and meta-universe are booming. Data volume associated with these technologies is expected to be more than 10 times current video data volume. Real-time transmission and interaction are crucial for realizing such services. However, adopting traditional communication methods consumes a substantial amount of bandwidth resources. Semantic communication [1], on the other hand, can be used to significantly reduce the required transmission rate while ensuring a satisfactory user experience. In addition to its relevance in information technology, semantic communication can also be applied in various domains, including Internet of Things (IoT), healthcare, finance, and transportation, among others. As a result, research on semantic communication has received increasing attention.