Method and device for authenticating access stratum in next generation wireless communication system

The disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting higher data transmission rates than 4G communication systems such as LTE systems. According to an embodiment, a method for operating a user equipment (UE) for a mutual authentication operation in an access stratum (AS) section comprises transmitting a first message including a first random value to a base station, receiving, from the base station, a second message including a second random value and a base station certificate for the base station, in response to the first message, and identifying information included in the base station certificate and verifying validity of the base station certificate, when the base station certificate is valid according to a result of the verification of the base station certificate.