Threat Modeling

In telecom networks, Threat Modeling is the structured exercise of identifying assets (subscriber identifiers, signaling interfaces, NF service APIs), enumerating realistic attackers (interconnect peers, roaming partners, insiders, RAN-side adversaries), and mapping how each could compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability. It guides architecture decisions for SEPP, signaling firewalls, slice isolation, and OAM segmentation.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkSignalingRoaming and Interconnect

Threat Modeling 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 Threat Modeling in the wider telecom-security picture, review SOAR, Telecom Attack Surface Mapping, Roaming Security Architecture, Risk Assessment, Defense in Depth and Lateral Movement (Telecom).

Related terms

Related topic hubs

  • Roaming Security IPX/GRX interconnect risk, home-routed vs local-breakout, SEPP.
  • SS7 Firewall GSMA FS.11 category 1/2/3 SS7 message screening at the STP edge.
  • Signaling Firewall Unified SS7/Diameter/GTP/SMS signaling firewall framework.
  • SS7 Security SS7/MAP/CAP/SCCP attacks and defenses across 2G/3G interconnect.

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.