AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting)

The fundamental security framework in telecom networks providing three functions: Authentication (verifying user identity), Authorization (determining allowed access), and Accounting (recording usage for billing and auditing). DIAMETER and RADIUS are common AAA protocols.

Categories: SignalingIdentity and SubscriberSecurity Controls

AAA in context

Signaling protocols carry the control-plane messages that set up calls, register subscribers and route SMS. SS7, Diameter, GTP-C and SIP are the four dominant families, and interconnect exposure of any of them is treated by GSMA as top-tier telecom risk.

Subscriber identifiers (IMSI, SUPI, MSISDN, IMEI) anchor authentication, charging and lawful interception. Any protocol that leaks a permanent identifier is treated as a privacy defect, which is why 5G introduced SUCI concealment on the air interface.

To place AAA in the wider telecom-security picture, review Any-Time Interrogation (ATI), CAP, IMSI, STIR, RCS and 1G — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

More from the TelcoSec Glossary

Browse the full TelcoSec Glossary, the Ultimate Guide to Mobile Network Security, or the P1 Arsenal of telecom-security tools.