IAMF (Identity and Access Management Framework)

A general security framework for managing digital identities and controlling access to resources, applied in telecommunications for subscriber identity management, network element authentication, and service access control. IAMF encompasses authentication, authorization, identity governance, and access policies. In telecom contexts, IAMF principles are implemented through protocols such as Diameter, RADIUS, and OAuth2.

Categories: Core NetworkSignalingIdentity and Subscriber

IAMF in context

The mobile core is where subscriber sessions, mobility and policy live. In 4G it is the EPC (MME, HSS, S/PGW); in 5G it is the Service-Based Architecture with AMF, SMF, UPF, AUSF, UDM and the NRF. Core exposure is the difference between a single-subscriber leak and a fleet-wide breach.

Signaling protocols carry the control-plane instructions that set up calls, register subscribers, hand over sessions 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 FS.11 / FS.19 / FS.20 as a top-tier telecom risk.

To place IAMF in the wider telecom-security picture, review SMSC, IAP, Insider Threat, VoLTE, 5G SA and 5G SBA.

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