SBA (Service-Based Architecture)

Also known as: Service-Based Architecture, Service Based Architecture

SBA is the 5G core architecture in which Network Functions expose their capabilities as HTTP/2 REST services on a Service-Based Interface. It replaces the point-to-point reference-point model of 4G with a bus of NF services that discover each other via the NRF and authenticate calls with OAuth2 tokens. SBA enables cloud-native deployment and horizontal scaling, but also expands the attack surface to include HTTP/2, JSON, TLS certificates and OAuth token handling.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkCore NetworkSignaling

SBA 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 SBA in the wider telecom-security picture, review 5G SA, AMF, Base Station (BS), Capacity Planning, CAPEX and CSCF — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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