By Safia Sayad, Head of North Africa, Cloud and Network Services at Nokia
A few months ago, a sophisticated cyberattack quietly rocked the telecom industry in East Asia. The breach infiltrated the core network of a major operator, compromising one of the most sensitive systems in telecom infrastructure: the Home Subscriber Server (HSS). Often called the digital brain of mobile networks, the HSS stores critical user data from Universal Subscriber Identity Modules (USIMs). Once breached, attackers potentially gained access to IMSI numbers, authentication keys, SMS metadata, and contacts.
The fallout was severe. With that level of access, malicious actors could clone SIM cards, commit financial fraud, or launch identity theft campaigns. To contain the damage, the operator had to replace SIM cards for more than 23 million users.
While this incident occurred far from Africa, it should serve as a wake-up call for North Africa, where telecom networks underpin both economic modernization and digital governance.
The Urgent Need for Security in North Africa
With over 200 million mobile subscribers across North Africa and internet penetration rising rapidly, telecom networks have become the backbone of the region’s digital economy. Mobile services are powering e-commerce in Egypt, e-governance initiatives in Morocco, fintech growth in Tunisia, and enterprise connectivity in Algeria.
But this success also creates risk. Telecom networks carry a vast volume of sensitive data, from financial transactions to biometric records, making them prime targets for cybercriminals. In North Africa—where governments are investing heavily in smart cities, digital IDs, and 5G rollouts—a major telecom breach could undermine public trust and destabilize critical services.
The Nokia Threat Intelligence Report highlights a steady rise in highly specialize telecom-targeted cyberattacks. In just the last 18 months:
- Salt Typhoon compromised telecom networks to harvest sensitive user data.
- A cloud vulnerability exposed metadata for millions of subscribers.
- Ransomware gangs like Trigona disrupted networks, encrypting vast troves of data.
- Unauthorized intrusions led to the leakage of sensitive enterprise and government information.
For North Africa, where economies are increasingly digitalized and cross-border connectivity is key for trade and energy networks, the implications of such breaches are serious. Mobile and fixed-line infrastructure must, therefore, be treated as critical national assets.
Beyond Generic Security: The Case for Telecom-Specific Defenses
One of the strongest lessons from the East Asian breach is that traditional IT security tools are not enough. Telecom networks are complex and built on specialized systems that demand telco-specific protections.
Next-generation, telco-ready Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) must include:
- AI-powered, real-time threat detection based on telecom traffic analysis.
- Automated patch and compliance management to minimize vulnerabilities.
- Lightweight, non-disruptive sensors that don’t slow down critical services.
As cyberattacks become faster and more automated, often fueled by AI, North Africa must move from reactive defense to anticipatory security strategies.
Building Resilient Networks
To counter increasingly sophisticated attacks, African enterprises and telecom operators need to adopt networks that can defend themselves. This involves embedding intelligence, automation, and continuous verification into the very core of network infrastructure. AI is already making an impact, especially in the realm of 5G security.
An example of this is Nokia’s NetGuard Cybersecurity Dome, which incorporates generative AI built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI GPT. This solution showcases how large language models can enhance real-time threat detection and assist teams in making faster, more informed decisions during cyber incidents.
But identifying threats is just the beginning. True cybersecurity demands a ‘Zero-Trust’ approach—where every user, device, and interaction is continuously verified. It also requires automated incident response systems capable of immediate, decisive action, reducing human error and response time. Real-time analytics play a crucial role in identifying vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
These capabilities are no longer theoretical; they are already being deployed in Africa, helping businesses shift from reactive defense to proactive protection, anticipating and neutralizing threats before they escalate.
Four Priorities for North Africa’s Telecom Operators
To protect critical infrastructure, North African telecoms and regulators should act decisively in these four areas:
- 24/7 Threat Monitoring with AI-Driven XDR
Attackers often strike during weekends or high-traffic events. Always-on monitoring powered by AI/GenAI is now essential. - Protecting Network Functions
Detect abnormal infrastructure activity and malware patterns early, before they compromise large portions of the network. - Adopting Zero-Trust Principles
Enforce strict verification for every user, device, and request. Use segmentation and limit privileged access to reduce insider and external risks. - Strengthening Regulation and SOC Capabilities
Align with global standards while developing regional frameworks. Invest in Security Operations Centers (SOCs) to fast-track cyber readiness for 4G and upcoming 5G rollouts.
The East Asian breach was a global reminder that no operator is immune. For North Africa—where telecom is not just infrastructure but a driver of economic growth and regional integration—the risks are amplified.
Now is the time for governments, regulators, operators, and solution providers across North Africa to:
- Make cybersecurity a strategic priority.
- Build cross-border collaboration on cyber defense.
- Invest in telecom-grade security solutions that anticipate evolving threats.
Because in the digital age, resilience is not about recovery; it’s about prevention.
