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For years, telcos have been a prime target for cybercriminals due to the vast amounts of data they handle. And in 2025, the threat has become even bigger. According to a GSMA survey, 85% of operators believe that Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks are set to become more common due to the rapid technological transformation and the use of AI by bad actors. As the attack surface expands, communications service providers need to rethink their strategy and adopt a more proactive approach to secure their communications infrastructure, particularly the Home Security Server (HSS), commented Richard Edmonds, Mobileum’ VP of Business Development for Security.
A compromised HSS can have severe repercussions, including service disruptions, data breaches, and even potential national security risks. Once malicious attackers access telecom's HSS or other key infrastructure, they can potentially siphon sensitive data, impersonate subscribers, intercept communications, or even hijack accounts.
This is a situation that SK Telecom, South Korea’s largest Communications Service Provider (CSP), recently experienced. It became public news when it announced that it would replace the SIM cards of all its 25 million subscribers. This drastic move came after a discovery of malware embedded in its HSS, a critical telecommunications database that stores subscriber information.
The SK Telecom incident serves as a stark reminder of the immense responsibility telcos have in safeguarding the private and personal information of their millions of subscribers. This is all the more crucial as telecom networks now form the bedrock of the digital ecosystem and subscribers use mobile devices for banking and other financial transactions.
Here are a few steps telcos can implement to acquire new capabilities that make their networks more secure:
1. AI-powered Firewalls to Address Evolving Threats
AI-enabled risk management solutions are transforming how telcos defend against an increasingly complex threat landscape. By integrating advanced firewalls across Voice, SMS, RCS, and signalling channels, these systems provide comprehensive, real-time protection against fraud, spam, spoofing, and signalling-based attacks. AI continuously monitors traffic patterns to detect anomalies, automatically flagging or blocking suspicious behavior before it can cause harm.
These intelligent systems not only enhance network security but also improve customer trust and regulatory compliance. As threats evolve, AI’s self-learning capabilities ensure that telcos stay ahead by adapting defenses dynamically, reducing reliance on manual intervention, and enabling more proactive risk mitigation.
2. Leverage AI and Analytics for Actionable Insights
Analytics platforms developed specifically to address telecom fraud, compliance and security issues play a critical role in safeguarding subscriber data. AI and Machine Learning (ML)-based solutions enable real-time analysis of massive volumes of data, allowing CSPs to detect and appropriately respond to unusual data patterns that could indicate fraud or security threats.
These insights improve overall security while reducing operational costs related to manual monitoring and incident response. As AI models evolve, they become more effective at identifying anomalies and emerging threats, enabling CSPs to build a more resilient communications infrastructure.
3. Acquire Cutting-Edge Threat Intelligence
Transition from proprietary, vendor-locked technologies to standardized hardware and IP networking has exposed CSPs to cyber threats. In this scenario, the traditional security approaches are ineffective against the advanced malicious elements. Besides end-to-end network visibility, CSPs now need intelligence and the ability to enforce policies in real-time.
Besides leveraging AI-driven security frameworks that combine automation, analytics and contextual awareness, CSPs are using global threat intelligence to identify and neutralize emerging risks proactively. Industry-wide collaboration among CSPs, vendors, and cybersecurity agencies is helping them improve their defense by sharing threat data, best practices, and mitigation strategies. This collaborative, intelligence-driven approach is essential for securing modern telecom networks and maintaining customer trust.
Building cyber-resilience is imperative for CSPs
The SK Telecom incident is a warning for the entire global telecom industry. Cellular networks are critical national infrastructure and the backbone of digital economies. Their security needs to be intelligent, integrated, and relentless to avoid the massive damage of a malware-based data breach. Those who fail to adapt to this new cybersecurity reality risk not only financial loss and reputational damage but also eroding the trust of their subscribers.
Find out how your telecom network can stay a step ahead of evolving threats by contacting us today to speak to our security experts.
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