The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method for operating a terminal is provided. The method includes receiving a first radio resource control (RRC) message including information for RRC connection suspension, maintaining a signaling radio bearer (SRB) 0 and suspending a data radio bearer (DRB) and at least one other SRB based on the first RRC message, transmitting, to a base station, a second RRC message for requesting RRC connection resumption through the SRB0, receiving, from the base station, a third RRC message for the RRC connection resumption through an SRB1, and resuming an SRB2 and the DRB based on the third RRC message.