DTLS (Datagram Transport Layer Security)

Also known as: DTLS 1.3, Datagram TLS

DTLS (RFC 9147 for 1.3, RFC 6347 for 1.2) provides TLS-equivalent authentication, integrity and confidentiality over unreliable datagram transports such as UDP and SCTP. In telecom it protects DIAMETER-over-DTLS/SCTP roaming links, control-plane fronthaul in O-RAN and CoAP-based IoT signalling. DTLS 1.3 is the current recommended version; DTLS 1.0 and 1.2 with legacy ciphers must be disabled.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkSignalingRoaming and Interconnect

DTLS 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.

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.

To place DTLS in the wider telecom-security picture, review Certification Authority (CA), Firewall, IBCF, Interconnect Security Model, Inter-PLMN Security and mTLS — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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