NESAS (Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme)

The Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme is a joint GSMA/3GPP programme that defines security requirements (SCAS) and an accredited audit framework for telecom network equipment vendors. NESAS evaluations cover product development lifecycle and per-product security testing, and are increasingly cited in operator procurement and national regulatory baselines.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkCore NetworkProtocols and Standards

NESAS 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.

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.

To place NESAS in the wider telecom-security picture, review GSMA SCAS, NSA, NDR, TSC, Network Slice and 5G.

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