Question: In the 3GPP SAE Security Architecture, what is the primary cryptographic algorithm utilized in the 128-EIA2 mechanism for message authentication?
Option 1: RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) with SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm 256)
Option 2: DES (Data Encryption Standard) in CBC (Cipher Block Chaining) mode
Option 3: AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) in CMAC (Cipher-based Message Authentication Code) mode
Option 4: Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) with HMAC (Keyed-Hashing for Message Authentication)
Explanation: The correct answer is AES in CMAC mode because 128-EIA2 employs 128-bit AES in CMAC mode for generating a Message Authentication Code (MAC), ensuring message integrity and authenticity in the 3GPP System Architecture Evolution (SAE) security architecture, highlighting symmetric key cryptography's practical application in telecom networks for secure message transfer.