TCP/IP

TCP/IP is the suite of protocols that underpins the modern internet, named after its two best-known members: the Internet Protocol that routes packets between hosts, and the Transmission Control Protocol that provides reliable byte streams on top. The suite also includes UDP, ICMP, ARP, DNS, BGP, and many others, all standardised by the IETF.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkProtocols and StandardsInternet and Routing

TCP/IP 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.

Telecom security is written into standards from 3GPP, GSMA, ETSI, IETF and ITU-T. Understanding which body owns which specification, and how the specs interlock (for example 3GPP TS 33.501 with GSMA FS.34 for 5G SBA security), is essential for both design and audit work.

To place TCP/IP in the wider telecom-security picture, review Telecom, DetNet, BGP, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), PoE and TR-069.

Related terms

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.