Now, more than ever, is the time for telecommunications operators (Telcos) and their suppliers to refocus attention on the issue of security in networks and support systems. Many operators are burdened with debt and suppliers are facing a downturn in fortunes as their customers take a long hard look at future volumes. In this climate, attention is naturally focused upon eliminating avoidable costs, and this should also encompass losses due to security failure and fraud. This new focus ought, in an ideal world, to build upon already established good governance. Often, however, security is viewed as a barrier to progress. The opposite view may also be taken and a creative Telco can use security as an enabler or value proposition. On a global basis losses due to security failure and fraud have been estimated by the International Forum for Irregular Network Access (FIINA) to be as high as $40 Bn per annum in the telecommunications sector. This is based upon their estimate of a loss of up to 6% of turnover. The telecommunications sector cannot afford to ignore this opportunity. The convergence of voice and data applications and services is upon us. Therefore, this chapter will move freely between those domains as it looks at security definitions (based upon the CIA-A model explained later), principles, relevant threats, vulnerabilities, countermeasures and current developments. The impact of security failure on Quality of Service (QoS) will be felt through degradation of confidentiality, service integrity and service availability.

Inspec keywords: telecommunication network management; quality of service; telecommunication network reliability; telecommunication services; quality management; telecommunication security

Other keywords: service availability; security failure; QoS; telecommunication sector; telecommunication quality of service management; telecommunications operators; telecommunication security; network security

Subjects: Network management