O-Cloud (O-RAN Cloud Platform)

Also known as: O-RAN Cloud

O-Cloud is the cloud infrastructure (compute, storage, network, accelerators) that hosts O-RAN Cloud Network Functions such as O-CU, O-DU and Near-RT RIC. It is managed by the SMO over the O2 interface and typically implemented as a Kubernetes-based platform on commodity servers with hardware acceleration for L1 processing. O-Cloud security spans host hardening, workload isolation, image supply chain, secure boot and the O2 trust boundary.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkCore NetworkCloud and Virtualization

O-Cloud 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 O-Cloud in the wider telecom-security picture, review SMO, O2 Interface, Fronthaul, Core Network, CSPM and IGW.

Related terms

Equipment

O-RAN units and RIC (O-RU, O-DU, O-CU, RIC, SMO)

Articles in the P1 mobile network security guide

Related topic hubs

  • Open RAN Security O-RAN xApp/rApp, E2/A1/O1 interfaces and RIC security.
  • NAS Security Non-Access Stratum security, integrity and ciphering algorithms.

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.