Gsm Networks: A Review Of Security Threats And Mitigation Measures

Abstract

The Global System for Mobile communication network, popularly called GSM, is a worldwide standard for mobile communication offering varied services like voice calls, short and multimedia messaging (text) services (SMS and MMS) and Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) which allows internet connectivity. Some of these services have possible security vulnerabilities. This paper investigates the security measures used in GSM networks which include Authentication, Encryption, Equipment Identification and Subscriber Identity Confidentiality, as well as the manifestation of network vulnerabilities including SIM, SMS attacks, encryption and signaling attacks. Suggestions on mitigative measness are also discussed.

The Information Manager Vol. 6 (1&2) 2006: pp. 16-24