The GSM Association, which stands for the Global System for Mobile Communications Association and is known more commonly as the GSMA, developed the Security Accreditation Scheme (SAS), a security standard and audit-based certification program that addresses various aspects of eSIM production and management. ManageEngine Firewall Analyzer now supports GSMA compliance for mobile operators and companies within the mobile ecosystem.
Recently, the GSMA updated this standard to enhance the SAS-Subscription Management (SAS-SM) standard. This update allows remote SIM provisioning applications to utilize the advantages of public cloud infrastructure, moving away from traditional on-premises data centers. This shift enables eSIM solution providers to leverage the scalability, security, cost-efficiency and reduced environmental impact associated with public cloud services.
To showcase product adherence to technical standards in a universally accessible manner, the GSMA has devised a compliance framework for eSIM-capable devices, enhanced user identity confidentiality (eUIC)s, and subscription management servers.
GSMA compliance: Enhancing security and efficiency in the telecom industry
GSMA compliance offers several benefits for the telecom industry, promoting smoother operations, increased security, and a more competitive landscape. Let’s delve into how it helps:
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Streamline operations: GSMA standards ensure compatibility between different operators and devices. This enables easier roaming, faster service provisioning, and a more efficient overall experience for operators and customers.
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Enhance security: Achieving GSMA compliance ensures adherence to standards like SAS, which emphasize robust security measures for eSIM platforms. This protects the network from data breaches and suspicious attacks targeting operators and customers.
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Innovation and growth: Compatibility issues are resolved and innovations are established through GSMA standards, leading to a more dynamic and competitive telecom market.
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Improved customer experience: Seamless roaming and minimized fraudulent activities lead to cost savings, leading to higher customer satisfaction and reducing administrative cost to telecom operators.
Understanding GSMA compliance and firewall systems
The GSMA itself doesn’t provide or mandate a specific firewall management system. But it influences firewall usage. GSMA compliance and firewalls have an indirect but important relationship in the mobile network security landscape. Here’s how GSMA compliance is relevant to firewall systems:
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Security guidance: The GSMA has published security documents, including FS:11 and SG.22, that outline best practices for mobile operators on firewall management specifically for protocols like SS7 and SM5. They filter messages, identify suspicious activities, and implement security measures.
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Compliance framework: GSMA compliance sets a baseline expectation for secure network management. This encourages mobile operators to choose firewalls with features like advanced filtering and threat detection that align with the security goals outlined by the GSMA.
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Standardization: The GSMA promotes the standardization of protocols and message formats within mobile networks. This standardization allows firewall vendors to develop systems that can effectively manage traffic across different networks. This provides a more consistent level of security across the mobile ecosystem.
In essence, GSMA compliance doesn’t dictate the specific firewall that a mobile operator uses, but shapes a secure mobile network.
What benefits does the GSMA compliance report in Firewall Analyzer provide?
A GSMA compliance report is a document that provides detailed information about a product’s adherence to the technical standards and security requirements set by the GSMA. This report typically includes:
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An overview of compliance: A summary of the product’s compliance status with respect to GSMA standards.
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Technical specifications: Detailed information on how the product meets specific technical requirements.
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Security standards: Documentation of the product’s conformity to security protocols and standards, such as those outlined in the GSMA’s SAS.
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Audit results: Findings from any audits conducted to verify compliance, including any non-conformities and corrective actions taken.
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Certification details: Information on any certifications awarded due to compliance, including dates and validity.
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Product information: Descriptions of the eSIM-capable devices, embedded universal integrated circuit cards (eUICCs), or subscription management servers covered by the report.
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Testing procedures: An outline of the testing methods used to verify compliance.
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Recommendations: Any recommendations for maintaining or improving compliance over time.
How Firewall Analyzer’s GSMA report simplifies staying compliant
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Automated compliance checks: The report automatically checks network configurations against GSMA standards, saving time and reducing the risk of human error.
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Comprehensive monitoring: It provides continuous monitoring of the network, ensuring that any deviations from compliance standards are quickly identified and addressed.
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Detailed reporting: The report generates detailed and easy-to-understand compliance reports, which help identify areas that need attention and provide documentation for audits.
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Real-time alerts: Firewall Analyzer sends real-time alerts for any compliance breaches so prompt corrective actions can be taken.
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Simplified audits: With comprehensive and accurate reporting, preparing for audits becomes easier, as all necessary information is readily available and clearly presented.
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Centralized management: It offers a centralized platform to manage and review compliance status across different network segments, simplifying the overall process.
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Historical data analysis: The report includes historical data that helps track compliance over time and provides insights about trends and recurring issues.
By automating and centralizing the compliance process, Firewall Analyzer’s GSMA report significantly reduces the effort required to stay compliant while also enhancing the accuracy and reliability of compliance activities. This report is crucial for manufacturers, service providers, and stakeholders within the telecom industry to ensure their products are secure, reliable, and meet industry standards.
In short, GSMA compliance focuses on:
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The core function of SAS-SM, which is to ensure secure SIM provisioning.
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The technology involved, i.e., eSIM platforms and eUICC chips.
Firewall Analyzer is streamlined with compliant audits with prebuilt reports to provide and enhance network visibility and traffic insights. With firewall rule optimization, you can identify unused, duplicated, or expired firewall rules to achieve potential cost savings.
Explore Firewall Analyzer by taking advantage of our 30-day, free trial and reach out to our support team if you have any questions.
