Handoff (Handover)

Handoff (handover, in 3GPP terminology) is the procedure that transfers an active call or data session from one cell, carrier, or radio access technology to another as the user moves or as conditions change. Soft, hard, and inter-RAT variants exist; security-sensitive aspects include re-establishing ciphering and integrity protection without interruption and resisting forced bid-down to weaker ciphers.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkProtocols and StandardsInternet and Routing

Handoff (Handover) in context

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

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 Handoff (Handover) in the wider telecom-security picture, review PoE, Segment Routing, 5GNR, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), TCP/IP and Telecom.

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