Is an advanced unified signalling platform the answer to secure network signalling?

Increasingly, mobile network operators are investing more in telecom network security. The valuable information carried over mobile networks makes them a prime target for cybercrime. Unfortunately, diverse network configurations and changing threats make network security a costly process.

5G protocols and features like network slicing have further convoluted the mix of multi-generation networks. Legacy protocols, roaming and the varied service requirements of different subscribers mean complex networks are a fact of life.

Furthermore, network transformations are complicated by a variety of system integrations across hardware, virtualised and cloud environments. These elaborate and disparate network configurations present security threats. However, they can also hinder scaling and disrupt services.

Unified signalling platforms offer a solution.

What is a unified signalling platform?

As the name suggests, unified signalling platforms bring together disparate network signals. However, there are different approaches to signal unification, such as a focus on protocol convergence, routing or legacy integrations.

The recent proliferation of new technologies and business opportunities means networks are becoming increasingly diverse. So, networks need more than just convergence and conversion from unified signalling platforms.

Advanced unified signalling platforms, such as Squire Technologies’ Sigla, take a holistic approach, centralising, normalising and harmonising signalling, thereby making it easier to secure networks.

The consequences of complicated networks

Complicated networks aren’t just inefficient and costly to run; they have more points of entry for cybercriminals. The total cost of cybercrime in 2025 is estimated at $10.5 trillion (US).

Common signalling threats include:

Subscriber tracking and location monitoring
Fraudulent access to network services
Unauthorised disclosure of customer data
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) and signalling-based attacks

Additionally, without adequate protection, signalling storms can overload networks, causing service disruption.

How can a Unified Signalling Platform improve network security?

By collecting signalling data from multiple network domains, operators can identify abnormal traffic patterns and emerging threats in real time.

These capabilities help operators:

Rapidly identify and limit cybercrime and fraud.
Strengthen network resilience.
Locate compromised devices and accounts quicker.
Limit loss thanks to faster incident response.

Proactive Defence

Rather than individually maintaining security across every signalling protocol, signalling unification enables network security management across an entire signalling ecosystem.

While signalling unification alone won’t make a network impervious to attack, advanced unified signalling offers:

Continuous and consistent charging across OCS/BSS/OSS billing.
Centralised monitoring and visibility across all signalling traffic.
Consistent policy enforcement across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G protocols.
Faster identification and mitigation of suspicious activity.
Simplified security management and compliance reporting.
Reduced operational complexity.

Importantly, operators can use a unified signalling platform to deploy protocol-specific protections from a single place. This approach aligns security policies across every protocol in a multi-generation network.

Sigla – Unified Signalling Platform

Squire Technologies takes a holistic approach to signalling unification with its Sigla platform. Its forward- and backwards-compatibility ensures consistent signalling management across multi-generation networks, supporting uninterrupted billing across OCS/BSS/OSS platforms.

The comprehensive solution, deployable on hardware and in virtualised and cloud environments, has security at its core while addressing network challenges around:

Routing
Interworking
Mediation
Monitoring

Specifically, around security, Sigla offers:

End-of-life protection
Real-time fraud prevention
Authorisation, authentication and subscriber policy security
Message normalisation, screening and manipulation
Topology hiding
DoS and DDoS protection
Advanced encryption between endpoints
Protocol compliance and custom policy setup
Message screening
Deny and allow listing
Throttling and load balancing
High availability architecture and various deployment options for redundancy.

Download the Sigla Presentation

As mobile networks become more intricate, security can no longer be managed in isolated silos. A unified signalling platform provides operators with a centralised, scalable, and future-ready approach to protecting critical network infrastructure.

By combining comprehensive visibility, protocol-specific security controls, and real-time threat detection, advanced unified signalling platforms help MNOs reduce risk, improve operational efficiency, and deliver secure services across 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and future network technologies.

Ben Teversham, Sales Manager at Squire Technologies

Ben has more than 14 years of experience working with operators of varying sizes globally to provide solutions for multiple generations of core networks across voice, messaging and signalling.

Find me on LinkedIn.

A State of the art Unified Signalling Platform

Sigla brings a homogenous layer to the management and operation of multi-generation networks, freeing operators from the burden of managing multiple core networks, and reducing network complexity and operating costs.

Learn More About Sigla

Speak to an Expert

NEWSROOM