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 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 NESAS in the wider telecom-security picture, review GSMA SCAS, NSA, NDR, TSC, Network Slice and 5G: each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

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