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Keeping viruses out of networks

The first mobile viruses "in the wild" were detected in the early months of this year. After years of warnings, the focus on hacker communities is now shifting to the telecom networks. Ericsson wants to help operators prevent harm to their networks and therefore business its Network Security Consulting concept.

August 22, 2005

No doubt, the digital era has brought people, companies and organizations around the world closer as they communicate wherever and whenever they choose. As mobile telephony expands across the globe, networks are becoming increasingly vulnerable to attacks.

 

Lars Pettersson, strategic product manager at Advice, Network Security Consulting at Ericsson, says that even if security awareness within the telecom sector is high, many carriers and operators are unwilling to admit their network has been attacked. "The whole industry needs to address this issue together, and talk more openly about it, as the IT industry does," he says. "A virus attack or network intrusion can happen to anybody."

 

Security breaches, whether they disrupt services or compromise information, cause financial losses. Operators face losing revenue as a result of the intrusion through lawsuits, damaged reputation and customers taking their business elsewhere.

 

Pettersson says it is not enough to just secure the technical aspects of the network, all aspects of the organization need to focus on security. "Having the right configuration of the network is of course of great importance, as is having the right security processes and procedures to prevent intrusions from happening. All of this is what Ericsson Security Consulting is about – helping operators to create and maintain the right security concept for their network and organization. Business continuity planning and keeping things updated are other important aspects as the world, technology and hacking methods change everyday," Pettersson says.

 

Network Security is not however the sole answer to potential problems in the world of mobility. Mobile handsets also need to be looked after. Dan Ostrenius, product manager for emerging technologies at Sony Ericsson, says the telecom sector will undoubtedly evolve into a similar situation as the computer world, where PC users are encouraged to continuously update their anti-virus software.

 

"Luckily, Sony Ericsson has not had any of our phones affected by viruses, however we recognize the concern in the industry and are therefore taking preventive steps to minimize the risk of viruses," Ostrenius says. "With our phones, the user is always asked for consent before any third-party software is added and there are also anti-virus clients available from third-party vendors on the Handango application site for the P910."

 

In September Ericsson will participate in the IIR conference in Budapest, Hungary, where security management issues will be discussed with a larger audience of network designers, planners and engineers from vendors and operators all over Europe. The conference focuses on how to retain customers and boost profits.

 

"We have significant experience in optimizing networks and organizations to adapt to new conditions. Operators however need to understand that there is a business advantage and a sales argument to be able to say 'Our networks have been audited by Ericsson," Pettersson says.