ZSM (Zero-touch network and Service Management)

Also known as: Zero-touch Service Management, ETSI ZSM

ZSM is the ETSI Industry Specification Group framework (ETSI GS ZSM series) that defines a closed-loop, intent-based, AI-assisted architecture for automating end-to-end network and service management across multi-domain, multi-vendor 5G and beyond networks. It splits management into domains connected by an integration fabric, and is a foundational reference for autonomous networks and network slicing operations.

Categories: Protocols and StandardsOperations and Business

ZSM in context

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.

OSS/BSS platforms (provisioning, charging, mediation, order management) hold the highest-value subscriber and revenue data on the operator side. They are heavily targeted for fraud and insider abuse and are increasingly in scope for regulatory obligations like NIS2 and the UK Telecoms Security Act.

To place ZSM in the wider telecom-security picture, review 3GPP, IP, TM Forum Open APIs, Zeroconf, FS.31 and SECA.

Related terms

Related topic hubs

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.