Telecom Foundations
Path

moduleType: general title: "Telecom Foundations Path" moduleId: telecom-foundations-path-module description: "The essential starting point for telecom security training. Build the architecture, protocol, and identity knowledge required before any specialist track, including 5G security courses and telecom threat modeling." category: Learning Paths difficulty: Beginner estimatedDuration: "104 hours" tags: "Telecom security training", "5G security course", "Network security training", "Telecom foundations course", "Telecom signaling security", "Hands-on 5G security training", "SS7 and Diameter security training", "Telecom", "PSTN", "SS7", "SIP", "5G", "GSM", "VoIP", "Signals", "Protocols", "ISDN" points: 15450 pathCode: BASE pathLevel: BEGINNER pathColor: "#34d399" cover: /brand/covers/BASE.svg badge: TELCO FOUNDATION instructor: TelcoSec Engineering Team careerPath: Telecom Security Analyst layout: LearningPathLayout pathSequence:

• telecom-fundamentals
• pstn-fundamentals
• adsl-fundamentals
• gsm-fundamentals
• ss7-fundamentals
• sim-cards-fundamentals parentPath: learn level: Beginner overview: "Telecommunications is the backbone of the connected world - from undersea cables carrying 99% of intercontinental data to the cellular towers enabling mobile connectivity. This path provides the essential engineering foundation and telecom security training required before any security specialization. You will learn how signals propagate, how networks are built, how calls are routed, and how the global numbering system identifies every device on the planet. Whether you are looking for a hands-on 5G security course or telecom signaling security expertise, every concept is mapped to its modern 3GPP Release 18/19 evolution, ensuring you understand both the legacy infrastructure you will audit and the 5G-Advanced systems being deployed today." objectives:
• "Network Architecture: "Describe the access, transport, and core layers of fixed and mobile networks - and identify where each attack surface lives.""
• "Signal Theory: "Explain analog-to-digital conversion (PCM/Nyquist), modulation schemes, and why SIGINT starts at the physical layer.""
• "Switching & Transport: "Compare circuit-switched TDM with packet-switched MPLS and trace a voice call through E1/SDH/DWDM hierarchies.""
• "Identity Systems: "Decode IMSI, MSISDN, IMEI, and TMSI structures - and explain how each can be abused for tracking or interception.""
• "Signaling Protocols: "Map SS7, SIGTRAN, SIP, and Diameter to their OSI layers and security implications.""
• "Mobile Generations: "Trace the architectural evolution from 2G NSS to 5G SBA - explaining what changed, what was inherited, and what was fixed.""
• "Subscriber Management: "Explain SIM/USIM/eSIM architecture, the AuC challenge-response flow, and HLR/HSS/UDM database roles.""
• "Security Mindset: "Identify the three primary telecom attack surfaces (access, interconnect, OAM) and the specialized defenses that protect them.""
• "PSTN Hierarchy: "Map the Class 1–5 switching hierarchy and identify the security boundary at each tier - from international gateway to local loop.""
• "Digital Transmission: "Trace the PCM digitization chain and understand T1/E1 frame structure, DS0 multiplexing, and ISDN BRI/PRI interfaces.""
• "PSTN Signaling: "Decode ISUP IAM/ACM/ANM/REL flows and distinguish CAS robbed-bit signaling from CCS architecture.""
• "GSM Architecture: "Map the complete BSS/NSS stack - BTS, BSC, MSC, HLR, VLR - and their security boundaries.""
• "A5 Ciphering: "Analyze A5/0, A5/1, A5/2, and A5/3 cipher properties and known cryptographic weaknesses.""
• "GSM Attacks: "Operate IMSI catchers, downgrade attacks, and passive intercept techniques used against 2G networks.""
• "GPRS Security: "Understand GPRS packet-switched architecture, SGSN/GGSN roles, and GTP tunnel exposure."" prerequisites:
• "None: "This is the entry-level path. No prior telecom experience required.""
• "Recommended: "Basic networking knowledge (IP addressing, OSI model overview) will accelerate comprehension of Modules 3–5."" achievement: "Earns the TELCO FOUNDATION badge - your verified credential demonstrating foundational competency across telecom architecture, PSTN fixed networks, digital transmission hierarchies, GSM security, and the broader 2G/3G threat landscape. Required prerequisite for the Signaling Mastery, LTE/EPC Security, and 5G paths." achievementWarning: "The Telecom Foundations Barrier (TELCO-101), PSTN Final Knowledge Check (PSTN-101), DSL Course Knowledge Check (DSL-101), GSM Final Knowledge Check (GSM-101), and SS7 Fundamentals Knowledge Check (SS7-101) must all be completed before the badge is issued."

Slide Deck & Presentation

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Course Syllabus & Handbook

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