4G/LTE mobile networks are used by billions
of subscribers worldwide, increasingly to connect the Internet of
Things. This evolution needs context-aware security in the network
to prevent financial and operational risks for service providers
and enterprise customers using private 4G networks. Malware that infects
User Equipment (UE), including smart phones, tablets, laptops connected
via a dongle, and cellular IoT devices, can prevent the UE from
accessing the mobile network and can be part of a botnet launching
an attack against the mobile network infrastructure.
The impact
of such malware to the customer includes battery exhaustion damage
to the device, degraded service, excessive billing, and more. The
impact to the service provider can include customer churn, help
desk calls, billing issues, excessive use of network resources by
compromised subscribers and devices, and more. Detection of these
threats in 4G/LTE mobile networks requires identification of compromised
equipment; prevention requires the ability to apply network security based
on equipment ID, which is an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI).
You
can now apply network security based on the equipment identity of
any device or equipment that is trying to access your 4G network.
You can secure such things as:
Internet of small/sensing
things
An area of Massive IoT (smart metering, smart waste management, anti-theft,
and asset management)
Critical IoT (such as health care), wireless payments, home
control, vehicle communication, phone, and tablet
Security
policy rules and correlation based on 4G IMEI are supported on:
PA-7000 Series firewalls
PA-5200 Series firewalls
VM-700, VM-500, VM-300, and VM-100 firewalls