SIGNALLING FIREWALL VENDOR PERFORMANCE 2020

ROCCO HQ London 10/03/20 Our research has been concluded, the results have been checked and verified and we are pleased to publish our latest report on Signalling Firewall.

The vulnerabilities within the Signalling System #7 (SS7) networks and protocols and within the Diameter protocol and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) are a dominant topic in the discussions about mobile network security.

Though the minimal SS7 security features did not represent a problem in the 1980s, when SS7 was introduced and designed to be used as a “trusted network”, with the addition of new typologies of MNOs (such as MVNOs and micro-operators) and Roaming Hubs to the SS7 marketplace, the SS7 vulnerabilities represent a threat and are increasingly raising concerns among new but also longstanding MNOs. The SS7 protocol based networks still serve the majority of wireless subscribers.

These SS7 security risks exist as it also happens that MNOs apply somewhat open policies to partnerships and go through unregulated access configurations (e.g. open access to Global Title), paving the way to malicious parties conducting fraudulent activities. Examples of threats related to subscribers are obtaining subscriber information (subscriber IMSI, subscriber location, intercepting and listening to subscribers conversations) and financial theft. Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks are threats directed towards the network elements.

While many MNOs are equipped and ready to support any type of fraudulent or security attack on their SS7 or Diameter networks others seek the assistance of specialist vendors who offer Signalling Firewall services. No one needs to reinforce the need for additional security in 2018, its clear from every bulletin you read that real life threats to the network are becoming more and more prevalent both for consumers and devices from an Internet of Things perspective. ROCCO has written a number of articles on this topic and we have also interviewed all the leading vendors in their field in our Signalling Firewall Market Intelligence Report 2017. Since then we make a report every two years and below you will find out latest results.

Signalling Firewall Vendor Performance Report 2020

Between October 2019 and February 2020 we asked MNOs globally to give us their perceptions of Signalling Firewall Vendors, how well they knew them and how they would rate them. They rated Vendors on 30+ KPIs in the area of Performance, Value and Leadership. The survey was about brand perception, experience of these providers as well as an understanding of whether MNOs would choose them over others.

Mobile Operators who participated in the Research will receive their free Executive Summary Report shortly, thanks for your support and feedback, we hope you enjoy the data and insights into the Vendors.

Buy the Strategic Analysis Version here

While the report contains insights about 21 vendors, there are seven specific vendors who have featured in the research for 2020: Adaptive, Cellusys, Enghouse Networks, Mavenir, Mobileum, Positive Technologies and Sinch. The report contains a leaderboard which shows the overall ranking of these vendors. When Vendors who appear in Tier One buy this report, they will also be provided with a special graphic for promotional use. Congratulation to all the Vendors who were recognised in the report!

On May 20th the Tier 1 Vendors in this report will be presented with Awards at the ROCCO Visionary Gala, the evening event associated with the ROCCO Genesis May 19th to 21st 2020 in Seville Spain. See the ROCCO Genesis webpage for more information about the event.