Enea and Zain KSA to pilot novel signalling security overlay

With the global threats on telecom networks escalating, network security has become a high priority. Now, telecom network security specialist Enea is collaborating with Zain KSA, a mobile telecommunications and digital services provider in Saudi Arabia, to pilot a novel mobile network signalling overlay technology that significantly extends signalling firewall capabilities.

The patent-pending signalling security overlay was conceived in Enea’s Technology Research Unit during 2023, with patents filed in December. Zain KSA’s extensive network infrastructure meanwhile provides an optimal environment for field validation of the concept.

Enea’s signalling overlay technology represents a novel approach to enhancing mobile network security and efficiency. By employing transport layer-aware distributed ingestion across both virtual/cloud and traditional network infrastructures, signalling firewalls gain deeper insights into network events, enabling robust protection against emerging threats. Leveraging the adaptive signalling firewall’s advanced techniques for detection and protocol correlation, the overlay technology enables mobile operators to safeguard their networks against sophisticated attacks.

The signalling security overlay technology pilot project, to be undertaken in Zain KSA’s network in Saudi Arabia this year, should accelerate the technology innovation and deployment of next-generation signalling security solutions for complex and more sophisticated network security attacks. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the pilot was signed at the 2024 Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona by Anders Lidbeck, CEO of Enea, and Abdulrahman Al-Mufadda, COO of Zain KSA, with the understanding that the pilot program may later be expanded to other markets and customers.

“The emergence of cloud and virtualised infrastructures, along with the proliferation of private networks and APIs, has introduced new complexities and vulnerabilities in mobile networks, significantly increasing the risk of sophisticated cyber attacks,” Lidbeck said. “This partnership builds on our longstanding relationship with Zain KSA, and emphasises our shared commitment to enhancing network security and embracing innovation.”

“Zain KSA’s collaboration with Enea reflects our dedication to securing and advancing our network infrastructure,” Al-Mufadda said. “By being the first to test this promising technology, we are cementing our position at the forefront of telecom innovation, furthering our commitment to providing secure and cutting-edge solutions to our individual and business customers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

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