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TELECOMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY

Security for Telecommunications

Telcos,ISPs,andMVNOsarepartofcriticalnationalinfrastructurewithavastattacksurface—signalingnetworks(SS7,Diameter,SIP,GTP),customer-facingportals,BSS/OSSplatforms,5Gcores,CPEfleets,andinterconnectpartners.WehelpoperatorsmeetNIS2andnationaltelecom-securityobligationswhiledefendingsubscribersagainstfraud,SIM-swapattacks,andtargetedinterception.

Industry snapshot

A distinctive risk profile

Every industry has its own risk fingerprint. These are the defining characteristics that shape our approach here.

NIS2
Essential entity
National critical infrastructure
SS7+
Signaling surface
SS7 · Diameter · SIP · GTP
5G SA
Emerging attack surface
SBA · SEPP · roaming
M+
Subscriber accounts
Fraud · SIM-swap · porting
Compliance

Regulatory frameworks

Every engagement is mapped to the frameworks that matter most in this industry — so each finding directly supports your compliance posture.

NIS2 Directive (EU 2022/2555)
telecoms classified as essential entities, with mandatory risk-management measures, incident reporting within 24 hours, and supply-chain security obligations under Articles 21 and 23
EECC (Directive EU 2018/1972)
security and integrity obligations for electronic communications networks and services, enforced in Romania by ANCOM
ENISA Telecom Security Guidelines
security measures for providers of public electronic communications networks and services, covering SS7/Diameter, 5G, and signaling-plane risks
GSMA FS.11 / FS.19 / FS.20
signaling security, Diameter and GTP firewalling, and 5G SEPP security baselines used across international roaming interconnect
3GPP TS 33.501
5G security architecture, including SUPI/SUCI concealment, AKA authentication, and SEPP interconnect security required for 5G SA deployments
GDPR Article 32 & ePrivacy
lawful handling and protection of subscriber metadata, call detail records, and location data
Methodology

Testing methodology

A tested, repeatable approach covering every layer of the modern environment relevant to this industry.

01 · PHASE

Signaling plane testing

SS7, Diameter, GTP, and SIP probing for known exploit categories (location tracking, call/SMS interception, fraud) via authorized test peers

02 · PHASE

BSS/OSS and customer portal testing

self-care apps, SIM-swap and number-porting workflows, billing and top-up APIs assessed against OWASP ASVS and business-logic abuse

03 · PHASE

5G core and RAN interface testing

NRF, AMF, SMF, UPF, and SEPP authentication, authorization, and network function isolation (SBA), aligned with 3GPP TS 33.501

04 · PHASE

CPE and home gateway testing

firmware analysis, default credentials, exposed TR-069/TR-369 management, and lateral attacks from compromised subscriber equipment

05 · PHASE

Interconnect & roaming-peer security

IPX peer hygiene, signaling firewalling rules, and anti-spoofing controls across international roaming interfaces

06 · PHASE

Fraud & abuse simulation

SIM-swap, Wangiri, IRSF, smishing, and APN-guessing campaigns to validate detection and response workflows

Services

Key services

Targeted services for the most common security needs in this industry.

Threat landscape

Threats facing this sector today

Every security engagement is scoped based on the attack patterns that actually hit this sector — not a generic checklist.

SS7 & Diameter abuse

Location tracking, SMS/call interception, and fraud through interconnect-level signaling attacks.

SIM-swap & number porting

Targeted takeover of high-value subscribers via social-engineering of retail, care, or porting flows.

5G core & SEPP attacks

Authentication, authorization, and SUPI-concealment weaknesses in service-based 5G core and roaming SEPPs.

Customer portal fraud

Top-up, tariff-change, and self-care workflow abuse leading to account takeover, IRSF, or Wangiri campaigns.

CPE & home gateway exploits

Weak defaults, exposed TR-069/TR-369, and firmware bugs enabling attacks against the subscriber fleet.

Nation-state targeting

APT groups targeting telcos to enable surveillance, cyber-espionage, and pre-positioning access within client networks.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Ready to secure your telecom network?

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