MSSP (Managed Security Service Provider)

In telecommunications, an MSSP is a third party that operates security controls and monitoring on behalf of an operator. A telecom-specialized MSSP runs signaling IDS/IPS, MAP/Diameter/GTP/SBA monitoring, threat hunting on roaming and interconnect traffic, vulnerability scanning of core and OAM, and incident response across SS7, Diameter, GTP, and 5G perimeters.

Categories: Core NetworkSignalingRoaming and Interconnect

MSSP in context

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.

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 MSSP in the wider telecom-security picture, review FS.07, FS.19, GGSN, GTP, GTP Firewall and HLR — 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.