Telco Security

Telecommunications Security Compliance & Standards

Comprehensive guide to industry standards, regulations, and compliance requirements

3GPP Security Standards
Technical specifications for mobile network security

Core Security Specifications

TS 33.102

3G Security Architecture

Security architecture for UMTS networks including authentication, encryption, and integrity protection

  • USIM authentication and key agreement (AKA)
  • Ciphering algorithms (UEA1, UEA2)
  • Integrity algorithms (UIA1, UIA2)
  • Network domain security (NDS)
TS 33.401

LTE Security Architecture

Security architecture for Evolved Packet System (EPS) including LTE and SAE

  • EPS AKA authentication
  • NAS and AS security
  • Key hierarchy and derivation
  • Handover security
TS 33.501

5G Security Architecture

Security architecture for 5G System including enhanced authentication and privacy

  • 5G AKA and EAP-AKA' authentication
  • SUPI/SUCI privacy protection
  • Network slicing security
  • Service-based architecture security
TS 33.210

Network Domain Security (NDS)

IP network layer security for signaling and user plane protection

  • IPsec ESP for confidentiality and integrity
  • IKEv2 for key management
  • Security gateway architecture
  • Certificate management

Implementation Requirements

  • Mandatory support for specified cryptographic algorithms
  • Secure key storage and management
  • Protection against replay attacks
  • Mutual authentication between network elements
  • Regular security updates and patch management
GSMA Security Guidelines
Industry best practices and security recommendations

Key GSMA Documents

FS.11

SS7 Interconnect Security

Best practices for securing SS7 interconnections and preventing fraud

  • SS7 firewall deployment
  • Message filtering and validation
  • Anomaly detection and monitoring
  • Incident response procedures
FS.19

Diameter Interconnect Security

Security guidelines for Diameter signaling in LTE and 5G networks

  • Diameter Edge Agent (DEA) deployment
  • Message validation and filtering
  • Topology hiding
  • Roaming security
FS.07

Baseline Security Controls

Minimum security controls for mobile network operators

  • Access control and authentication
  • Network segmentation
  • Security monitoring and logging
  • Vulnerability management
FS.31

SIM Security

Security requirements for SIM cards and eSIM provisioning

  • Cryptographic algorithm requirements
  • OTA security
  • eSIM remote provisioning security
  • SIM swap fraud prevention
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
US federal cybersecurity standards and guidelines

Core Functions

Identify

Develop organizational understanding to manage cybersecurity risk to systems, assets, data, and capabilities

Protect

Develop and implement appropriate safeguards to ensure delivery of critical services

Detect

Develop and implement activities to identify occurrence of cybersecurity events

Respond

Develop and implement activities to take action regarding detected cybersecurity incidents

Recover

Develop and implement activities to maintain resilience and restore capabilities impaired by incidents

Relevant NIST Publications

  • SP 800-53: Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems
  • SP 800-171: Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information
  • SP 800-207: Zero Trust Architecture
  • SP 800-61: Computer Security Incident Handling Guide
ISO/IEC 27001
International standard for information security management

Key Control Categories

Organizational Controls

  • Information security policies
  • Organization of information security
  • Human resource security
  • Asset management

Technical Controls

  • Cryptography
  • Physical and environmental security
  • Operations security
  • Communications security

People Controls

  • Access control
  • System acquisition and development
  • Supplier relationships
  • Incident management

Compliance

  • Business continuity management
  • Compliance with legal requirements
  • Information security reviews
  • Audit and monitoring

Implementation Steps

  1. 1. Define scope: Determine boundaries of ISMS
  2. 2. Risk assessment: Identify and evaluate information security risks
  3. 3. Risk treatment: Select and implement controls
  4. 4. Documentation: Create required policies and procedures
  5. 5. Training: Educate staff on security requirements
  6. 6. Monitoring: Continuously monitor and measure effectiveness
  7. 7. Audit: Conduct internal audits and management reviews
  8. 8. Certification: Undergo external certification audit
Regional Regulations
Region-specific telecommunications security requirements

European Union

  • GDPR: Data protection and privacy requirements
  • NIS2 Directive: Network and information security requirements
  • ePrivacy Directive: Electronic communications privacy
  • Cybersecurity Act: EU-wide cybersecurity certification framework

United States

  • CALEA: Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act
  • CPNI Rules: Customer Proprietary Network Information protection
  • FCC Regulations: Federal Communications Commission security requirements
  • CISA: Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency guidelines

Asia-Pacific

  • China: Cybersecurity Law and Multi-Level Protection Scheme (MLPS)
  • India: IT Act and telecom security guidelines
  • Australia: Security of Critical Infrastructure Act
  • Singapore: Cybersecurity Act and telecom regulations
Compliance Checklist
  • Conduct regular security risk assessments
  • Implement required cryptographic controls
  • Deploy signaling firewalls (SS7, Diameter)
  • Establish security monitoring and logging
  • Develop incident response procedures
  • Conduct regular security audits
  • Maintain compliance documentation
Related Resources