Ethical Hacking News
Mobile operators are projected to spend between $40 billion and $42 billion on core cybersecurity activities by 2030 as threats evolve at a rapid pace. A new report from the GSMA highlights the challenges of complying with an increasingly complex and fragmented set of regulations, and calls for international coordination and harmonization of cybersecurity frameworks.
The GSMA reports that the cost of implementing effective cybersecurity measures for mobile operators will increase from $15 billion to $42 billion by 2030. Security threats are rising rapidly worldwide, with a 75% increase in attacks over the past five years. Policymakers and regulators need to create a more coordinated and effective regulatory environment to address evolving cybersecurity threats. The GSMA recommends simplifying compliance and incident reporting processes to incentivize long-term investment in prevention, rather than punitive measures.
The mobile industry has long been aware of the growing threat of cyber attacks and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures to protect its networks and customers. However, as the threat landscape continues to evolve, so too must the regulatory environment surrounding cybersecurity. A recent report from the GSMA, a leading trade association for the mobile industry, highlights the challenges that operators face in complying with an increasingly complex and fragmented set of regulations.
According to the GSMA's report, "The Impact of Cybersecurity Regulation on Mobile Operators," the cost of implementing effective cybersecurity measures is already significant, with mobile operators spending between $15 billion and $19 billion annually on core cybersecurity activities. However, as threats continue to evolve at a rapid pace, this figure is projected to rise to between $40 billion and $42 billion by 2030.
The GSMA's report notes that security threats are rising rapidly worldwide, with the number of attacks increasing by about 75 percent over the past five years. This has led to a patchwork of overlapping laws and sector-specific policies in many countries, which can result in higher compliance costs and duplicate reporting for operators.
Furthermore, the report highlights the importance of international coordination between governments and regulators to build cybersecurity frameworks around common standards. The GSMA argues that security policies should be aligned with international standards such as ISO 27001 or the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and that regulators should ensure new policies and frameworks are consistent.
The GSMA also recommends that policymakers simplify compliance and incident reporting processes to make it easier for operators to protect their networks and customers. This includes avoiding punitive measures and instead incentivizing long-term investment in prevention.
These recommendations do not require major new investment, according to the GSMA, but rather a shift in approach toward collaboration, trust, and shared responsibility. The report concludes that cybersecurity frameworks work best when they are harmonized, risk-based, and built on trust.
The GSMA's Head of Policy and Regulation, Michaela Angonius, noted that "This report makes it clear that cybersecurity frameworks work best when they are harmonized, risk-based and built on trust. To protect citizens and critical societal services, regulators and operators should work together, guided by a common set of principles."
The GSMA's report is a timely reminder of the growing importance of cybersecurity in the mobile industry. As threats continue to evolve at a rapid pace, it is essential that policymakers and regulators take action to create a more coordinated and effective regulatory environment.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Mobile-Industrys-Growing-Concern-Over-Cybersecurity-Regulations-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/11/26/gsma_global_standards_mobile_industry/
Published: Wed Nov 26 11:21:02 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
