PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)

PSTN 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.

Signaling protocols carry the control-plane instructions that set up calls, register subscribers, hand over sessions 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 FS.11 / FS.19 / FS.20 as a top-tier telecom risk.

To place PSTN in the wider telecom-security picture, review PLMN, Telecom Attack Surface Mapping, Firewall, GRX, HSS and IBCF.

Related terms

• PLMN
• Telecom Attack Surface Mapping
• Firewall
• GRX
• HSS
• IBCF
• Interconnect Security Model
• ISUP

Related topic hubs

• VoLTE Security IMS/VoLTE signaling risk: SIP, IMS-AKA, media plane attacks.
• IMS Security Training Training on IMS, VoLTE/VoNR, SIP and RCS security.
• SS7 Security SS7/MAP/CAP/SCCP attacks and defenses across 2G/3G interconnect.
• Diameter Attacks S6a IDR/PUR/CLR abuse, subscriber tracking, LTE signaling attacks.

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.