In an increasingly interconnected, digitalised world where cyber threats know no boundaries, Cybersecurity Awareness Month is the perfect opportunity to remind citizens of the importance of navigating the online world safely and securely and how to recognise and report cyber threats. With its origins in the US, since 2004 Cybersecurity Awareness Month has evolved into a collaborative international event with countries participating in spreading knowledge about different aspects of cybersecurity, providing tools to equip citizens as they navigate the internet.
In the US, the main theme for this year is Secure Our World. Australia is spreading awareness of cyber security generally by emphasising that cybersecurity is everyone’s business and Ghana is focusing on the dangers of misinformation and disinformation. Canada is celebrating the unique strengths each generation has and how they can help each other under the banner Generation Cyber Safe: Because online security knows no age. It is also encouraging employee education which is as important given the social engineering tactics used to compromise company systems.
In a series of blogs, the GSMA is this month taking a closer look at various aspects of cybersecurity and fraud. We are hoping to create awareness of different threats, in particular, the growing scourge of social engineering fraud and interventions that some regulators and legislators are proposing to address the issue. We would like you to gain a better understanding of the extensive work undertaken by the mobile industry in preventing and responding to these threats; to maintain the trust of their customers and to ensure the safety and security of the data they hold within their systems.
The GSMA website already contains information on how we continually enhance the security support offered to our members as threats targeting the mobile ecosystem emerge.
Resources:
GSMA information on security
The GSMA continually enhances the support offered to its membership as the threats targeting the mobile ecosystem emerge: https://www.gsma.com/solutions-and-impact/technologies/security/
Mobile Cybersecurity Knowledge Base
The GSMA continually enhances the security support offered to operators as new threats targeting the mobile ecosystem emerge. Industry collaboration lies at the centre of these efforts. The GSMA Mobile Cybersecurity Knowledge Base is a leading example of these collaborative efforts.
GSMA Fraud and Security Group
The Fraud and Security Group (FASG) drives the industry’s direction on fraud and security matters related to mobile technology, networks and services. It provides an environment for GSMA members to discuss and address issues such as protecting customers against fraud and detecting and preventing fraudulent access to mobile services.
GMSA T-ISAC
The Telecommunication Information Sharing and Analysis Centre (T-ISAC) is the central hub of information sharing for the industry where members can report security threats in real-time.
GSMA Reports:
The report Safety, privacy and security across the mobile ecosystem looks at the major issues of consumer protection, privacy, public safety and infrastructure security.
This study Mobile money fraud typologies and mitigation strategies provides stakeholders with the knowledge required to understand and navigate mobile money fraud challenges.
The sixth annual Mobile Telecommunications Security Landscape report GSMA Mobile Telecommunications Security Landscape 2024 contains security threats tracked by the GSMA.