Labels: AllIP , Mobile , Networks , Operators , Security , Transition

LTE Security as Mobile Operators Transition to All-IP Networks

SDN and NFV are certainly grabbing the headlines at the moment. They are hot topics wherever you look; journals, conferences, webinars you name it everyone is trying to have their say. But in the mobile world the transition to LTE networks is just as exciting. And, it could be argued, without this transition the full benefit of SDN and NFV cannot be delivered to mobile operators.

In an eighteen minute video (you can view the video directly here), Paul Gainham, Senior Director Service Provider Marketing EMEA, suggests mobile operators have been victims of their own success. In the developed world customers want to use mobile to receive content whilst in emerging markets, such as Africa, mobile is the primary delivery mechanism for broadband services to both the enterprise and consumer markets. Capacity is crucial and the transition to all-IP LTE networks is an obvious progression. However, the move to LTE introduces its own challenges.

In his video, Paul Gainham looks specifically at the topic of security. In an accessible manner he outlines the issues and challenges facing mobile operators before suggesting solutions that can be adopted. For Paul there are three security insertion points: Mobile device security, network infrastructure, and applications. And, for this presentation, Paul focuses on the network infrastructure.

He acknowledges that the Gi/SGi and Gp/S8 interfaces (to the internet and roaming respectively) are understood and mobile operators have a good track record in securing these boundaries. The area of concern for Paul is the LTE Security Gateway. To bring this to life Paul compares and contrasts the 3G and LTE environments highlighting the fact that 3GPP standards do not mandate security for the LTE Access network. The video then takes a quick look at LTE Security solutions and here Paul is keen to challenge the myths surrounding security, resilience and latency.

Why not follow the link below and take a look at the video? At 18 minutes it won’t take long and there is plenty to learn from what Paul has to say.      

View the video: Mobile Network Security Solutions

View the original article here