Telecom Network Security: What You Need to Know

As the years go by, cyber threats become more and more common. Hackers usually target large systems with complex infrastructure, such as telecommunication networks. Given the numerous entry points and potential vulnerabilities, it isn't hard for external users to breach their security and obtain sensitive data.

Modern 5G systems, in particular, are at risk of these evolving threats. So, to counter the problem, developers have started using built-in robust security measures instead of adding protection after deployment. Telecom providers rely on stronger encryption, network slicing, authentication, and authorization, and other measures to address these security threats.

Titan.ium is the best example of this new approach. We protect our network's critical infrastructure by using security-by-design. Our company safeguards every entry point and component of the telecom infrastructure, ranging from APIs, certificates, signaling, and core functions. That way, operators can enjoy the highest level of telecom security.

In this article, we'll talk about proactive threat management and how our company addresses modern security challenges.

The Modern Telecom Threat Landscape

With the increasing digitalization of our daily lives, the number of security risks is on the rise. Hackers monitor our email communications, financial transactions, and interactions with other devices, always looking for ways to steal our data.

When it comes to 5G communication networks, malicious actors specifically target interconnects, roaming traffic, core networks, and APIs. While doing so, they often push the boundaries of mobile networks' security, looking for entry points deep within the infrastructure. Some of the evolving cyber threats include:

• Discovery abuse or API hijacking
• DDoS on the control plane or network functions
• Signaling manipulation
• Interconnect breaches

Although 5G networks are at risk, legacy infrastructure is struggling even more with information security management. Given that these networks were created back in the day when these threats didn't even exist, they can't address them in an efficient way. Hackers often target companies as they transition from 4G to 5G, as this is when they're most vulnerable.

Luckily, the Titan.ium team has thought about the issue and has found an efficient way of protecting your sensitive data while ensuring regulatory compliance. With our trademark interGENerational security, we're able to safeguard both your modern, cloud-native components and legacy infrastructure.

It is a concept that fully insulates your business from outside threats, allowing you to make a smooth transition toward next-gen tech.

Security-by-Design in 5G and Beyond

Modern communication networks are distributed, dynamic, and integrated with numerous vendors and microservices. Although the amalgamation of software provides enormous flexibility and extra features, it also opens your systems to outside threats. This is why you must rely on security-by-design to stave off the attackers.

Basically, security-by-design embeds control for every component and at every infrastructure layer. For example, it protects HTTP/2, Diameter, and SIP against fraud, eavesdropping, and manipulation. Each API that interacts with the network has to be encrypted and authenticated to prevent unauthorized access.

Some of the main principles of cloud-native security include:

• Zero-Trust Architecture: It is a concept where the network never trusts any user or device, no matter how often they've connected. The network will use microsegmentation, two-way authentication, assume breach, and other concepts to ensure 100% security.
• OAuth2: With this concept, we get increased control over outside resources. Basically, the network can access resources from other apps and websites to increase security.
• Mutual TLS (mTLS): Through mTLS, operators can authenticate parties that connect to the network from different endpoints. Both the server and the client will have to authenticate themselves through the use of digital certificates.
• Microsegmentation: By segmenting your infrastructure into smaller functions and slices, we're reducing the impact of potential data breaches. Instead of having full access to sensitive customer data, attackers will be able to access only a fraction of the network infrastructure.

To maximize the effectiveness of your security measures, the entire process must be automated and continuous. Your telecommunications infrastructure requires proactive real-time protection through the use of anomaly detection, risk assessment, threat intelligence, and policy enforcement.

Core Security Components in Titan.ium Platform

Titan.ium platform uses various security solutions to ensure the highest level of protection for its users:

- Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP)

Security Edge Protection Proxy ensures safe signaling traffic during roaming. It allows users to connect to each other regardless of their mobile operator and enjoy complete confidentiality (through roaming hubs). SEPP relies on the N32 interface, which can be further split into N32-f for forwarding and N32-c for the control plane.

SEPP relies on multi-tenancy (a single software app being used by numerous customers) for roaming hubs. Other SEPP features include message validation, mTLS, and policy enforcement. Like other 5G components, Security Edge Protection Proxy uses cloud-native infrastructure for added flexibility and scaling.

- Service Communication Proxy (SCP)

Service Communication Proxy ensures secure routing and tactical screening of HTTP/2 messages. It is a vital component for handling services and communication during 5G mobile communications. With its message throttling, payload validation, and delegated service discovery, SCP protects the network against any security breach.

- Network Repository Function (NRF)

NRF serves as the main register for all network functions and is a vital component for service discovery. Network Repository Function stores data about each network NF, including its location, type, and supported services. In terms of protection, NRF utilizes OAuth2 technology to ensure that only specific NFs can communicate with each other.

- Certificate Automation & Lifecycle Management

Digital certificates are vital for communication between APIs, NFs, and external apps. Due to the large number of certificates, mobile networks must automate them through a centralized management system. With this NF, we're able to ensure full compliance with the current Telecommunications Security Act.

- InterGENerational Core Security

Titan.ium's trademark solution, InterGENerational Core Security, allows users to integrate their legacy infrastructure with 5G mobile networks. We offer protocol mediation through KPI tracking, logging, and screening.

Compliance and Standards Alignment 

Titan.ium platform adheres to the latest telecommunications industry standards and laws. Not only does this increase user satisfaction, but it also safeguards your network from evolving threats. Among other things, Titanium functions in accordance with:

• 3GPP 33.501: The 3rd Generation Partnership Project is the basic standard for telecommunication networks, which ensures full user privacy, confidentiality, integrity, and authentication.
• GSMA FS.34 / FS.38: This standard is vital for defining the best practices for Security Edge Protection Proxy. It also outlines best practices for other roaming security efforts, which are crucial for protecting traffic between different operators.

• ETSI NFV Security Guidelines: These particular guidelines focus on orchestration and virtualization for cloud-native systems.

Titan.ium platform puts emphasis on availability, confidentiality, and data integrity, thus making sure you can access any type of data without worrying about its validity. Our solution authenticates APIs and encrypts signaling while also securing different segments through network slicing.

The most important thing you must keep in mind is that Titan.ium complies with telecom-grade security frameworks for government-grade and Tier-1 use.

Titan.ium’s Cloud-Native Security Advantages

Titan.ium relies on an integrated security solution that provides numerous advantages to users:

• Container-Level Isolation: Containerization is vital for increasing flexibility and scaling of the network while also separating processes and data from each other. Our product utilizes Kubernetes hardening to safeguard each of these containers, thus employing strict resource boundaries.
• Built-In Observability: Titan.ium provides comprehensive data for each network layer, allowing operators to monitor usage and assess potential risks. In addition to telemetry data, we also introduce numerous KPIs and security logs that enable users to identify anomalies and configuration issues.
• Service Mesh Integration: East-to-west traffic is often targeted by hackers through lateral attacks. With service mesh frameworks, our platform automatically authenticates and encrypts internal traffic. By relying on zero-trust policies, the solution corroborates every access and isolates potential threats.
• Rolling Updates and Canary Deployments: As the number and complexity of threats increase, operators have to be proactive in safeguarding their critical infrastructure. With our rolling updates, we introduce new, sophisticated features that will maximize data protection and address potential vulnerabilities.
• Self-Healing: If our platform notices that one of the NFs is behaving suspiciously, it will automatically start the self-healing process. This will isolate the workload or container in question, addressing the issue and protecting the rest of the 5G network.

Use Cases: Real-World Applications of Titan.ium Security

The best thing about Titan.ium platform is that it offers versatile security. It effectively facilitates numerous technologies that can only work with the help of an advanced, reliable 5G network:

• Roaming Hub Operators: Our solution is perfect for protecting roaming traffic between carriers. By relying on SEPP, operators are able to eliminate interconnect fraud and secure user data.
• Private 5G Deployments: The platform introduces policies that are tailor-made for network slices. As such, companies can conduct mission-critical services without having to worry about outside threats.
• National Telecoms: National operators can enhance their network services with Titan.ium’s interGEN framework. They can integrate existing legacy infrastructure with modern 5G solutions and perform the transition at their own pace without worrying about security risks.
• Smart City or IoT Rollouts: Slicing is also vital for IoT and smart cities. Each application can work within its own slice, making sure there isn't any overlap with other systems and users. Aside from the fact that each slice is protected, containerization enables you to minimize damage in the event of a breach.

Best Practices for Telecom Network Security

Titan.ium has various functions that enhance its network security:

• Design for Zero Trust: Zero trust methodology ensures that every device and action is double-checked. Titan.ium uses a combination of Diameter Signaling and SEPP to ensure continuous authentication.
• Automate Certificate Issuance: With Titan.ium's built-in PKI services, the platform simplifies the process of issuing and renewing certificates. The technology keeps encryption up-to-date while minimizing human errors.
• Segment Traffic: By relying on network slicing, Titan.ium is able to introduce customized security measures for each slice. Furthermore, our product uses slicing to isolate traffic and minimize potential damage.
• Monitor Service Behavior: Our product monitors service behavior and signaling over time. With its predictive analytics, it tracks down anomalies and quarantines them.
• Choose Vendors with Native Compliance: The platform can be used to integrate different legacy solutions across various vendors.
  
  

Conclusion

Reactionary policies and tech will not help you stave off modern security threats. Luckily, Titan. ium implements proactive, built-in solutions to spot security vulnerabilities and address them before it's too late. With our container-secure, cloud-native infrastructure, you can effectively tackle the most common malicious threats and prepare for future ones.

Contact us today and let's see how our platform can assist your business.