PCAP (Packet Capture)

In telecommunications, PCAP refers to the file format and capability of recording network packets verbatim for later analysis. PCAPs of signaling and OAM traffic are essential for telecom incident response, forensics, and tuning of signaling firewalls and IDS rules.

Categories: SignalingSecurity ControlsThreats and Attacks

PCAP in context

Signaling protocols carry the control-plane messages that set up calls, register subscribers and route SMS. SS7, Diameter, GTP-C and SIP are the four dominant families, and interconnect exposure of any of them is treated by GSMA as top-tier telecom risk.

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

To place PCAP in the wider telecom-security picture, review IPS, Telecom Forensics, Control Plane Security, Event Logging, Indicators of Compromise (Telecom IoCs) and Vulnerability Assessment: each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

Related topic hubs

  • Signaling Firewall Unified SS7/Diameter/GTP/SMS signaling firewall framework.
  • SS7 Security SS7/MAP/CAP/SCCP attacks and defenses across 2G/3G interconnect.
  • SS7 Firewall GSMA FS.11 category 1/2/3 SS7 message screening at the STP edge.
  • Diameter Firewall GSMA FS.19 screening at the Diameter Edge Agent on S6a/S9/S13.

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.