NAC (Network Access Control)

NAC 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.

Security controls in telecom span signaling firewalls (SS7/Diameter/GTP screening at the network edge), transport encryption (IPsec, TLS, PRINS), identity and access on OSS/BSS, and monitoring at both the packet and log level. Controls are audited against GSMA FS.11/FS.19/FS.20/FS.36 and, in Europe, NIS2 sectoral rules.

To place NAC in the wider telecom-security picture, review Inter-Network Function Authentication, 1G, AP, Cipher, Fronthaul and MAC.

Related terms

• Inter-Network Function Authentication
• 1G
• AP
• Cipher
• Fronthaul
• MAC
• NTP
• OAuth2 in 5G Core

Related topic hubs

• SS7 Penetration Testing Interconnect pentest methodology for SS7 signaling.
• Open RAN Security O-RAN xApp/rApp, E2/A1/O1 interfaces and RIC security.
• Private 5G Security Private/enterprise 5G, NPN, SNPN and industrial risk.
• Telecom Penetration Testing End-to-end telecom pentest across signaling, radio and core.

More from the TelcoSec Glossary

Browse the full TelcoSec Glossary, the Ultimate Guide to Mobile Network Security, or the P1 Arsenal of telecom-security tools.