IAP (Intercept Access Point)

An Intercept Access Point is the network element designated to capture signalling and user-plane traffic for a target subscriber when a lawful interception warrant is in effect. IAPs are typically embedded in the MSC, MME, AMF, SMF, or SMSC, and they hand off captured content and intercept-related information to a Mediation Function that delivers to the law-enforcement monitoring facility. Their operation is governed by ETSI TS 102 232/103 221 and equivalent national standards, with strict access controls and audit.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkCore NetworkSignaling

IAP 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.

The mobile core carries subscriber sessions, mobility and policy. 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.

To place IAP in the wider telecom-security picture, review 5G SA, AMF, Base Station (BS), Capacity Planning, CAPEX and CSCF — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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