DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification)

Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) is the CableLabs standard for delivering broadband internet over hybrid fibre-coaxial cable networks. Successive versions (1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1, 4.0) have raised speeds into the multi-gigabit range. DOCSIS includes BPI/BPI+ for link encryption and uses certificate-based modem authentication to deter cloning and theft of service.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkSecurity ControlsProtocols and Standards

DOCSIS in context

The radio access network is where mobile devices attach to the operator's infrastructure. Attacks in this layer include IMSI catching, rogue base stations and downgrade attacks; defenses rest on mutual authentication, integrity-protected signaling and Open RAN supply-chain hygiene.

Security controls span signaling firewalls (SS7/Diameter/GTP screening), transport encryption (IPsec, TLS, PRINS), identity and access on OSS/BSS, and monitoring at both packet and log level. Controls are audited against GSMA FS.11/FS.19/FS.20/FS.36.

To place DOCSIS in the wider telecom-security picture, review 6G, EAP, MPLS, SSH, IKEv2 and SRv6 — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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