GSM Security Features, Threats and Solutions

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications, formally known as Groupe Spécial Mobile) is a set of standards which was developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and describes  the technologies used in second generation (2G) digital cellular networks. It provides some features, such as:

• Total Mobility
• The user is able to utilize the Pan-European system which permits him to communicate from everywhere and to contacted in any location that is covered by the  GSM cellular network utilizing the same assigned telephone number, including when the user is not at home. The calling party is not required to be aware of the location of who they are calling, because the GSM networks will handle these tasks. With own chipcard he or she can make a call anywhere, not only from his or her home.
• Security
• The security methods for the GSM System makes one of the safest form of cellular telecommunications standard currently available. Despite the fact that the confidentiality of a call and anonymity of the GSM subscriber is only guaranteed on the radio channel, it is still a big shift in achieving end-to-end protection. Temporary identification numbers are used to protect the subscriber’s identity . The confidentiality of the communication itself on the radio link is performed by the use of encryption algorithms and frequency hopping via digital systems and signaling.

However, there are still some threats faced by GSM users. Some of them includes:

• Theft of service
• Due to the mobile nature of the technology, it makes it more susceptible to physical theft. The thief could then utilize the SIM card to make calls without the owner's approval, and as well as access the owner's account.
• A simple solution to this problem could be that users should be careful and ensure that their items do not get stolen, which would nullify this threat.
• Another solution is for the subscriber to immediately alert the service provider upon theft, and the service provider would terminate service to that account.
• Privacy
• GSM relies on encryption algorithms to protect the data traffic. Should this be compromised, any data transmitted can be read. Furthermore, due to its widespread nature, it is a prime target for hackers.

References:
http://www.hackcanada.com/blackcrawl/cell/gsm/gsm-secur/gsm-secur.html
http://www.ehow.com/list_7453174_problems-facing-gsm.html