Telecom
Nokia Networks Launches Network Access Guard
As the complexity of mobile network security increases with 3G/LTE and telco cloud/SDN, a centralized identity and access control system able to authenticate operator staff and provide secure, granular access to network elements is required.
Potential vulnerabilities in the SS7 (Signaling System 7) protocol could open the door to advanced fraud, hijacking of subscriber communications or Denial-of-Service attacks.
To help operators deal with the multifaceted demands of protecting security and privacy in the smartphone and Internet of Things (IoT) era, Nokia Networks has extended its security portfolio with new protection capabilities complemented by expert professional services in assessment and deployment.
Dealing With Rocketing Security Complexity
Two new Nokia Networks solutions help shield network operations from unauthorized access, both from external attackers and from staff within organizations:
Nokia’s Network Access Guard addresses the sheer intricacy that operators face in managing internal staff access to multiple network element systems.
It secures, identifies and monitors employee access while simplifying the way privileged users handle critical network elements.
Nokia’s Signaling Security Solution can identify weaknesses in an operator’s SS7* infrastructure and implement a firewall to protect against subscriber data being hacked as well as other malicious intrusions. Nokia Networks is the only major telecom infrastructure vendor to offer such end-to-end SS7 protection.
How To Protect Against Internal And External Threats
Nokia’s Network Access Guard implements centralized identity access management in multivendor networks.
Protection is achieved through a combination of single sign-on authentication for user simplicity, session management to control who accesses network resources, audit logging to track user sessions, and user policy management.
The software can secure traditional, virtualized and Software Defined Networks (SDN) supplied by multiple vendors.
It helps avert service interruptions that could damage customer experience, cause revenue loss and lead to Service Level Agreement (SLA) penalties.
Nokia’s Signaling Security Solution consists of two elements:
Nokia Signaling Guard tracks SS7 sessions and inspects signaling traffic in real time. Thus it is able to detect external attacks that normally would not be recognized by conventional SS7 network elements.
The solution can block unauthorized access to subscriber profiles and helps assure service availability.
Efficient fraud protection builds subscriber trust to secure revenue streams.
Nokia Security Assessment is a new expert service that analyzes an operator’s network security architecture and protection of network elements to pinpoint vulnerabilities that could lead to security breaches or service disruptions.
The insights provide the foundation for planning and implementing security improvements to allay subscribers’ privacy concerns, encouraging higher use of mobile services.
Patrick Donegan, chief analyst, Heavy Reading, said: “The vulnerability of SS7 to eavesdropping and DDoS** attacks surfaced as an issue for operators during the summer of 2014. As with other vulnerabilities that emerge with older technologies that are expected to remain in the network for a significant period of time, these are vulnerabilities that operators need to be looking to close off.”
Giuseppe Targia, vice president security business, Nokia Networks, said: “Security in network operations involves a number of critical aspects, and with these new launches we are addressing two of the most important ones.
Firstly, multivendor and multitechnology deployments in mobile networks create a challenge in managing access control policies from a security perspective, thus making it difficult to protect the network from insider threats or internal staff errors. This is why a new, carrier-scale, identity access management strategy is needed.”
He added: “SS7, a well known protocol within the telecom network industry used by hundreds of cellular companies to operate and communicate with one another, has been shown to be vulnerable. Thus operators nowadays need an easy way to deploy an SS7 security solution in order to protect the network against privacy and fraud attacks.”
Airtel Nigeria, telecom service provider, has announced that its AI-powered Spam Alert Service issued over 9.6 million spam alerts between March 13 and May 20, 2025.
As part of its ongoing commitment to protecting customers from unwanted and potentially fraudulent communications, Airtel designed the AI Spam Alert service to analyze traffic patterns and detect anomalies.
In the period since launch the AI pinpointed a total of 9,667,008 SMS as potential spam messages in the two months after its launch.
Of these, the system identified 528,080 on-net (Airtel-to-Airtel) and 9,138,928 off-net (from other networks) numbers as suspected spam messages, demonstrating the scale of the threat and Airtel’s advanced processing capability.
Airtel Nigeria is a subsidiary of Airtel Africa.
Commenting on this development, Dinesh Balsingh, CEO, Airtel Nigeria, restated Airtel`s commitment to protecting its customers.
“This milestone demonstrates the strength of our AI-driven infrastructure in combating the growing menace of spam and scam calls. At Airtel Nigeria, we are focused on connecting Nigerians and ensuring their safety and confidence while using our network.
“We understand that trust is the cornerstone of digital communication. That’s why we’ve invested heavily in intelligent systems that not only detect potential threats but also learn and evolve with data. As threats become more sophisticated, so will our solutions. As a company, we remain focused on leading the industry in innovation and customer satisfaction, ensuring that every Nigerian can enjoy a safer and smarter digital experience,” Mr. Balsingh said.
The Spam Alert Service is part of Airtel Nigeria’s broader strategy to integrate artificial intelligence into its core offerings to deliver smarter and safer experiences for its customers across the country.
Recall that the Spam Alert Service was launched on March 13, 2025. A groundbreaking and free solution from Airtel, it notifies users in real-time of suspected spam SMS messages by analyzing over 250 parameters.
The Airtel AI Spam Alert Service is available to all Airtel subscribers on smartphones and feature phones.
Vitel Wireless Limited, pioneer mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in Nigeria has made another history by announcing the successful completion of interconnectivity with all major Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Nigeria.
Kenneth Nwabueze, Chairman and CEO of Vitel Wireless
Recall that Vitel Wireless, became the first Mobile Virtual Network Operator to receive a dedicated number series (0712) from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
This breakthrough enables Vitel Wireless subscribers to make and receive calls with users on MTN Nigeria, Airtel Nigeria, Globacom (Glo), and 9mobile Nigeria.
It also marks the first time an MVNO in the country has successfully interconnected with all the major MNOs, setting a new precedent for Nigeria’s telecom sector.
Following the NCC’s licensing of 46 MVNOs, Vitel Wireless continues to lead the way in establishing a dynamic MVNO sector in Nigeria—Africa’s largest market and most populous nation.
The company has already achieved several historic firsts: the first MVNO issued a numbering plan and national and international routing codes, the first to launch a location awareness network in Africa, and the first to unveil a strategic nationwide rollout plan.
“We are gathering momentum for our big launch,” said Kenneth Emeka Nwabueze, chairman and CEO of Vitel Wireless.
“We are proud to be showing what’s possible for MVNOs, while also creating a path for others to follow. By leveraging our years of experience in Nigeria’s telecom industry, we are opening up new possibilities where there used to be none.”
Interconnectivity was achieved through a combination of direct fiber connections with some MNOs and indirect routing via third-party providers.
This milestone was the result of a collaborative effort involving engineers from Vitel Wireless, Wireless Technology Labs (WTL), and Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria (ICN), working closely with engineers from MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile.
“We wish to thank the regulatory agency, the Nigerian Communications Commission, for their timely interventions and guidance, which were instrumental in achieving this interconnectivity and bringing the formal launch of the Vitel Wireless nationwide network one step closer to reality,” said Nwabueze.
The company entered a nationwide pilot phase in May 2025, with plans for a full rollout in July 2025, aiming to deliver next-generation mobile services to millions across Nigeria.
Layer3, One of Nigeria’s foremost ICT solutions providers, has once again solidified its place as a trailblazer in Africa’s technology landscape, emerging as the Enterprise Solutions Provider of the Year and Leadership Award in Cloud Services at the prestigious African Beacon of ICT Leadership and Awards held on May 24, 2025, at the Four Points by Sheraton, Lagos.
This year’s event brought together leading tech innovators, policymakers, and thought leaders to recognize organizations making extraordinary contributions to Africa’s digital transformation.
Among the many luminaries in attendance, Layer3 stood out for its 19+ years of consistent innovation, technical excellence, and client-centered service delivery.
Speaking at the event, the organizers praised Layer3’s pioneering work in delivering robust enterprise solutions across sectors, as well as its bold leadership in advancing cloud infrastructure and services across Nigeria and beyond.
“These awards are more than recognitions, they are a reminder of the fulfilment to our mission to deliver peace of mind to our customers,” said David Ita, the Head of Strategy and Business Development of Layer3.
“They speak to the impact we’ve made and the promise we hold for the future of the cloud and enterprise technology business in Africa. We dedicate this honor to our clients, partners, and the hardworking Layer3 team who continue to redefine excellence every day.”
Since its founding, Layer3 has championed a future-forward approach to ICT services offering cutting-edge solutions in enterprise networking, cybersecurity, broadband, cloud computing, managed services, and IT advisory. The company’s Layer3Cloud platform and managed service offerings continue to power the digital ambitions of Nigeria’s leading businesses.
These accolades underscore Layer3’s unwavering commitment to driving transformation and supporting digital economies through smart, secure, and scalable technology.
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