3G Mobile Network Security
White Paper
Executive Summary
Mobile operators need to recognize their newfound role as internet service providers
(ISPs). No longer do they just provide cellular voice services; now they also provide highspeed Internet Protocol-based (IP) data services. So as to offer a wider array of services
and content to their data subscribers, mobile operators are opening up their formerly
closed networks to numerous other mobile operators, data networks and the public
Internet.
As a result, mobile operator’s 3G networks are not only exposed to all the virtual
pathogens already in circulation, but also to mobile-specific viruses and Trojans, as well as
to direct attacks such as Denial of Service (DoS) on their networks from hackers and/or
criminal organizations. These types of attacks employ methods which wired ISPs have
been dealing with for a much longer period of time. There are also variations on these
attacks which exploit weaknesses in the architecture and some of the protocols used in
2.5G/3G cellular data networks.
To protect their networks and customers, then, mobile operators need to:
. Take an architecture approach to implementing security solutions in their network;
point solutions are not sufficient
. Deploy a variety of products in their networks, such as firewalls, intrusion
detection and prevention (IDP) and virtual private networks (VPNs)
. Make client-side anti-virus and firewall software readily available to their
subscribers who use data devices (e.g., feature phones with data capabilities,
smartphones, notebook computers)
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