SS7 Message Categories

In telecom networks, GSMA FS.11 classifies SS7 MAP messages into categories based on whether they should be received from any peer (Category 1), only from a roaming partner where the subscriber is currently roaming (Category 2), or only from the home network itself (Category 3). Signaling firewalls enforce policy by blocking or rate-limiting messages that violate their category context.

Categories: SignalingRoaming and InterconnectIdentity and Subscriber

SS7 Message Categories 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.

Roaming and interconnect are where two operators exchange signaling and user-plane traffic. Trust boundaries here are the primary attack surface for location tracking, SMS interception and fraud, which is why GSMA now mandates SEPP with PRINS on 5G interconnect.

To place SS7 Message Categories in the wider telecom-security picture, review Behavioral Signaling Detection, FS.11, GRE, Roaming, Roaming Interconnect Security and Roaming Security Assessment — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

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