Advanced intelligent network (AIN) security in support of NS/EP telecommunications requirements

The Office of the Manager, National Communications System (OMNCS) is exploring the use of advanced intelligent network (AIN) capabilities to support national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) telecommunications requirements. To ensure that these critical NS/EP requirements can be supported, the security implications of AIN must be understood. Specifically, new AIN network elements add potential physical and software security vulnerabilities, and changes to network topologies and supporting systems can introduce additional security concerns. This paper presents several key mitigating strategies. These strategies can be broadly categorized as awareness, access and information control, redundancy and geographic distribution, restoration and audit procedures, rational service development procedures, and ongoing research and development activities.