User Plane Security

User Plane Security 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 User Plane Security in the wider telecom-security picture, review Base Station (BS), IAP, IPsec, Service-Based Architecture (SBA) Security, Mobile Network and IMS-AKA: each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

• Base Station (BS)
• IAP
• IPsec
• Service-Based Architecture (SBA) Security
• Mobile Network
• IMS-AKA
• N3
• AMF

Related topic hubs

• Signaling Firewall Unified SS7/Diameter/GTP/SMS signaling firewall framework.
• GTP Firewall GSMA FS.20 GTP-C/GTP-U screening on GRX/IPX borders.
• 5G Security 5G SBA, SEPP, SUCI, 5G-AKA, N32 and service-based interface security.
• 5G Penetration Testing Pentesting the 5G core, SBA, SEPP, and gNB interfaces.

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.