Renowned expert in telecom network security, Enea, and leading provider of mobile telecommunications and digital services in Saudi Arabia, Zain KSA, have announced a pioneering collaboration to test the world’s first mobile network signaling overlay technology. This innovative advancement enhances signaling firewall capabilities, providing a new level of security for mobile networks.
The patent-pending signaling security overlay, developed within Enea’s Technology Research unit in 2023, has filed patents in December of the same year. This groundbreaking technology redefines mobile network security by introducing a novel approach to strengthening security and efficiency. By employing transport layer-aware distributed ingestion across virtual/cloud and traditional network infrastructures, signaling firewalls can gain deeper insights into network events, offering robust protection against emerging threats. The adaptive signaling firewall’s advanced techniques for detection and protocol correlation further enhance network security, allowing mobile operators to safeguard their networks against sophisticated attacks.
This collaboration between Zain KSA and Enea is a testament to Zain KSA’s commitment to network security and its readiness to embrace new technologies. Zain KSA’s extensive network infrastructure provides an optimal environment for field validation of this innovative concept, making it an ideal partner for this initiative.
The signalling security overlay technology pilot project will take place in Zain KSA’s network in Saudi Arabia in 2024. As Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of 5G development, network security has become a top priority for Zain KSA. This initiative will not only accelerate technology innovation but also deploy next-generation signalling security solutions to combat complex and sophisticated network security attacks.
Anders Lidbeck, CEO of Enea, highlighted the significance of this partnership and emphasized their shared commitment to enhancing network security and embracing innovation. He stated, “The emergence of cloud and virtualized 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 cyberattacks.”
Eng. Abdulrahman Al Mufadda, COO of Zain KSA, also expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, “At Zain KSA, we are dedicated to driving the Digital Transformation goals of all our customers through advanced, reliable, and secure ecosystems. Zain KSA’s collaboration with Enea reflects our dedication to securing and advancing our network infrastructure. 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.”
The memorandum of understanding for the world first pilot was signed at Mobile World Congress Barcelona by Anders Lidbeck and Abdulrahman Al Mufadda. While Zain KSA will be the first to test the new technology, the pilot program may be expanded to several other markets and customers.
This collaboration between Enea and Zain KSA marks a significant milestone in the advancement of mobile network security. It demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the evolving challenges in telecom networks while underlining the commitment to delivering secure and advanced solutions to customers. As the pilot project is set to commence in 2024, it further underscores the dedication of both companies to advancing telecom technology and enhancing network security.