CSIRT (Computer Security Incident Response Team)

Also known as: CERT, Computer Emergency Response Team, Incident Response Team

A CSIRT is an organisational team responsible for receiving, reviewing and responding to computer security incidents and vulnerability reports for a defined constituency. Telecom operators typically run an internal CSIRT that coordinates with sector-specific bodies such as GSMA T-ISAC, national CSIRTs designated under NIS2, and vendor PSIRTs to triage signaling, core network and IT incidents.

Categories: Threats and AttacksProtocols and StandardsInternet and Routing

CSIRT in context

Telecom threats range from opportunistic SMS phishing and SIM swap to nation-state grade location tracking and lawful-interception abuse. The common thread is that most attacks exploit the inherited trust model of legacy signaling. SS7 and Diameter were designed for a closed operator community that no longer exists.

Telecom security is written into standards from 3GPP, GSMA, ETSI, IETF and ITU-T. Understanding which body owns which specification, and how the specs interlock (for example 3GPP TS 33.501 with GSMA FS.34 for 5G SBA security), is essential for both design and audit work.

To place CSIRT in the wider telecom-security picture, review CVD, SIRT, LAN, WEP, 3GPP and Attack Surface Mapping.

Related terms

Related topic hubs

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.