SMS Firewall

Protects networks from hostile spam attacks and shields subscribers from unsolicited, annoying messages

Overview

SMS is a key revenue generator for all operators, averaging 25% of the total revenue. But the profitability of SMS is under attack. Spam, spoofing and other SMS-related scams are a global problem. By simply modifying certain key parameters in an SMS message, anybody can gain unauthorized access to the SS7 networks of major service providers and potentially route millions of text messages into those networks.

Operators have to respond quickly to changing tactics and techniques to cope with spammers' resourcefulness. As the SMS spam threat increases, solid spam protection is an essential customer-care asset. To beat high-tech, international spammers, operators need advanced tools that go beyond basic screening and filtering of SMS mobile application part (MAP) and signaling connection control part (SCCP) fields; they require advanced spoof-detection technology.

Product Description

Tekelec’s SMS Firewall enables operators to respond immediately to new threats via the use of an innovative rule-based screening and filtering engine. The intuitive, web-based configuration tool enables instant response to changing spam threats and service requirements, while maintaining the highest possible quality standards.

The SMS Firewall supports advanced filtering and blocking to prevent unwanted SMS messages. And, with enhanced load distribution and throughput control, it provides overload protection from signaling system 7 (SS7) and Internet protocol (IP) message originators. The system’s SS7 routing and screening capabilities are based on user-definable rules that filter any incoming SMS message In addition to the basic SS7 level detection and filtering the SMS Firewall, also provides protection through optional, intelligent modular filters, which provide deep SMS message inspection, such as content filtering, anti-flooding and pattern detection. Subscriber level filtering can additionally be deployed; further information on this capability can be found in the Tekelec SMS Personalized Services product brief.

The Tekelec SMS Firewall supports virtualization techniques, which are suitable for wholesale carrier environments. Wholesale (transit) carriers can deliver a Tekelec-based, virtualized SMS Firewall solution to network operators who want to outsource part of their SMS security environment.

The system’s performance can be scaled up to a virtually unlimited throughput by using multiple units in a redundant configuration.

Benefits

Using the solution’s rules-based filtering and advanced anti-spoofing features, operators can virtually eliminate the delivery of unwanted messages to their subscriber and protect the network from spam overload. With the addition of modular filters, even the most advanced spam techniques - message content and address randomizers, spoofing, flooding, viruses and phishing - can be thwarted.