NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT)

NB-IoT 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.

Subscriber identifiers (IMSI, SUPI, MSISDN, IMEI) are the anchor for authentication, charging, lawful interception and fraud analytics. Any protocol or interface that leaks a permanent identifier is treated as a serious privacy defect, which is why 5G introduced SUCI concealment on the air interface.

To place NB-IoT in the wider telecom-security picture, review TAC, 2G, ADSL, OTA, 6G and Cleartext (Plain Text).

Related terms

• TAC
• 2G
• ADSL
• OTA
• 6G
• Cleartext (Plain Text)
• CPE
• MCC

Related topic hubs

• NAS Security Non-Access Stratum security, integrity and ciphering algorithms.
• Diameter Security 4G/LTE Diameter threats across IPX/roaming and DEA defenses.
• Diameter Attacks S6a IDR/PUR/CLR abuse, subscriber tracking, LTE signaling attacks.
• LTE Security Training Training on 4G/LTE core, Diameter, NAS and RRC security.

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.