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By Alberto Jessurun / February 17, 2021 / Blog

The Top 5 Security Threats for Telecoms

Telecom companies face unique security threats, including data privacy, DDoS attacks, and IoT-related risks. Learn more about the top 5 threats to the industry and what you can do to protect your organization.

Key takeaways

Top 5 security threats for telecom:
1. Data breaches
2. DNS attacks
3. Risks related to the IoT
4. SIP hacking
5. DDoS attacks
How solutions from Unisol International can help

Each industry has its own set of security concerns. Telecommunications companies face many unique challenges and are often the first businesses to be targeted by attackers because telecoms manage and control communications infrastructures that also store and transmit sensitive data.

With the continued increase in internet usage and new devices entering the market all the time, companies have to continually pivot to address the latest threats to protect their data and networks. IT teams must stay aware of the latest trends in security to put the right strategies in place to combat risks and continue improving.

What are the top security threats for telecom companies? This article will dive into five different security risks, how to prevent them, and how Unisol International can provide the right solutions for telecom companies.

Top 5 security threats for telecom

While companies across all industries have similar security risks to watch out for, especially now that operations depend on the internet, telecom company managers and leaders should take these five threats into account to create a successful cybersecurity strategy.

1. Data breaches

According to the IT & Telecom IT Risks Survey from Netwrix, data breaches were a top IT-risk priority for 67% of organizations. Data privacy is thus one of the most significant concerns for many companies. Not only can a breach be extremely costly, but it can also take its toll on the company’s brand reputation and competitive edge. A SpyCloud study found that telecom companies were more vulnerable to data breaches and compromised accounts than any other segment of the market.

Strategies to reduce the risk of data breaches include:

Using restrictive data permissions or the principle of least privilege, which is an operating philosophy that users should only be given the level of access needed to complete their jobs and nothing more.
Training employees across the business to increase security awareness.
Keeping software updated, so you always have the latest vulnerability fixes.
Utilizing data encryption for sensitive information.

2. DNS attacks

Domain Name Security (DNS) attacks are another top threat to telecom companies. One recent report indicates that the telecommunications and media sectors experience the most frequent DNS attacks: An average of 11.4 attacks per organization in 2019. A full 83% of service provider organizations were victims of DNS attacks. Of these, 8% say that they suffered over $5 million in damages due to these DNS attacks.

To help prevent DNS attacks, telecom companies should prioritize cybersecurity systems that are proactive, not reactive. Plus, analytics for all DNS transactions should be tracked in real-time so any potential threat can be detected based on behavior signals.

3. Risks related to the IoT

The Internet of Things (IoT) only continues to expand, altering the communications landscape. There are already billions of devices trying to connect, and some estimates say that by 2025, there will be more than 75 billion IoT devices out there.

The sheer volume of information being shared by these devices creates many new security threats. Many mobile or wearable devices don’t have the same level of security in place to defend against attacks as other network devices, and misconfigurations are common with such new devices. These issues can lead to increased congestion and vulnerability to a host of malicious actions.

Telecom companies should put additional protections in place to combat IoT challenges, including increasing authentication for network devices, implementing data encryption, and using UICC-based approaches to properly identify IoT devices.

4. SIP hacking

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) manages video, voice, and messaging communication applications, usually as part of voice-over-IP (VoIP) interactions. Telecom companies must be aware that attackers will hack into calls to release malware and cause other disturbances, like eavesdropping, fake caller IDs, SIP trunk hacking, and more. These are known as SIP attacks, and they are quite common.

To protect against SIP hacking, telecoms should deploy anti-spoofing measures for their SIP communications and use encryption on all data transmissions. In addition, Session Border Controller (SBC) functions should be utilized so all SIP messages are inspected and unauthorized SIP traffic can be quickly diverted.

5. DDoS attacks

Denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks occur when hackers disrupt a network by flooding an online service with lots of traffic. Telecom companies are particularly at risk for DDoS attacks. One study found that 65% of DDoS attacks during one tracked quarter targeted communications service providers. Attackers likely target these companies because of the significant control they have over communications infrastructures.

How can telecom companies prevent DDoS attacks? Access control lists and continuous real-time monitoring are important strategies to put in place to deter these attacks. In addition, black hole filtering or scrubbing involves filtering the good traffic from the bad, and it can help companies avoid network disruption.

How solutions from Unisol International can help

When you’re creating a successful cybersecurity strategy for your telecommunications company, it’s important to remember these five significant security threats and how to combat them. It’s also crucial that you have the right products and solutions installed to give you ample visibility into and control over the networks and systems your telecom and its customers depend on.

Unisol International specializes in electronic security and telecommunications project deployment. We provide solutions and products across the globe, and our online catalog can be viewed online. We are always compliant with all trade regulations, export licenses, and regulatory requirements in the industry.

To learn more about how our products can help your telecom company, contact the Unisol International team.

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The Top 5 Security Threats for Telecoms

Telecom companies face unique security threats, including data privacy, DDoS attacks, and IoT-related risks. Learn more about the top 5 threats to the industry and what you can do to protect your organization.

Top 5 security threats for telecom

1. Data breaches

2. DNS attacks

3. Risks related to the IoT

4. SIP hacking

5. DDoS attacks

How solutions from Unisol International can help

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