eSIM Security: Everything You Need to Know

eSIM security: Today’s world is a digital one. There’s no denying that. There is a high priority for seamless connectivity, especially from the telecommunications industry and advanced technology- part of which also includes artificial intelligence.

At the forefront of innovation today from the telecommunications industry is the evolution of the SIM from physical to eSIM, which is a great advancement in the industry. Everything comes with risks, so a transition from physical to eSIM also comes with one security.

In this article, we will talk about everything you need to know about eSIMs, what they are, why they should be preferred to regular physical SIMs, and how to handle the security aspect.

If this looks like what you’re interested in, please stay with us!

What is a SIM Card?

SIM is short for Subscriber Identity Module, and us an integrated circuit intended to securely store an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number and its related key. These are used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile telephone devices.

The first SIM cards were so big, they were the size of credit cards, and have been reduced several times over the years. You can testify to that.

There are two types of SIMs: the physical one, and the virtual or embedded one also known as eSIM

The physical ones are quite popular, which is what many people are used to. As the name suggests, it is a physical card made of PVC with embedded contacts and semiconductors, with the SIM as its primary component. This physical card is one you can hold, and touch and see.

The eSIM however which only recently became a thing, is the reason for this article, so let’s talk a little bit more about it.

What is an eSIM?

eSIM, short for embedded SIM, is a digital or virtual version of the traditional physical SIM card that enables mobile connectivity. It does the same thing a physical SIM does, but unlike a physical SIM card, which you need to manually insert into your device, an eSIM is embedded directly into the hardware of your smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or other IoT devices.

Again, it operates on the same principles as a physical SIM, storing your International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and enabling communication with your network provider.

So, if we say physical SIMs have to be manually inserted, how then do eSIMs get embedded directly into the hardware of your device?

eSIMs are programmable remotely. This allows you to switch between mobile networks without needing a physical card. The eSIM technology is governed by the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association) standards, ensuring global compatibility.

Why Are eSIMs Important?

eSIMs are important for so many reasons, and you’ll see:

The first and most obvious reason is convenience. It is very convenient to use an eSIM. This means that you don’t need to carry a physical SIM card around, and it’s easier to switch carriers or manage multiple numbers on one device.

If you’re someone that travels a lot, you may find owning an eSIM more convenient than a physical gift card. As a matter of fact, using an eSIM helps travelers switch to local carriers’ plans without the need to purchase a new SIM card.

Manufacturers can also save space in devices, enabling slimmer designs or additional features like larger batteries when they decide to take away the slot for physical SIMs

How Do eSIMs Work?

An eSIM works similarly to a traditional SIM but with enhanced flexibility. Here’s the process:

Provisioning: The eSIM is pre-installed on the device. Users scan a QR code or download a profile from their carrier to activate the eSIM.

Storage of Profiles: eSIMs can store multiple profiles, allowing users to switch between networks or numbers for different purposes, such as personal and business use.

Remote Configuration: eSIMs can be reprogrammed remotely by carriers, eliminating the need to visit a store or handle a physical card.

eSIM Security

Security is an important aspect of eSIM technology, especially since it involves sensitive user data and network authentication.

eSIMs use strong encryption protocols to ensure secure communication between the device and network provider during activation and data exchange. They are also less prone to physical tampering compared to traditional SIM cards because they are embedded directly into the device’s hardware.

Since changes are authenticated by carriers and require user confirmation, the ability to remotely manage profiles also adds an extra layer of security.

Potential Risks and Threats of Using eSIM

So, it appears that the eSIM is quite secure, to say the least. However, it also comes with some risks, and some of these risks include:

• Hacking and Phishing

If you thought eSIMs could not be hacked, then you should think twice. Cybercriminals could potentially target eSIM provisioning systems or use social engineering to gain unauthorized access to eSIM profiles.

• Remote Access Exploits

Malicious people might exploit vulnerabilities in remote management systems to manipulate eSIM profiles. Even though this is not a common risk, it still remains one.

Some Best Practices to enhance your eSIM Security

To reduce the risk and enhance the security of your eSIM security, there are some things you need to do. Don’t worry, these are not difficult things, so you should do just fine.

• Use Strong Authentication

To prevent unauthorized access to your Esim, be sure to enable two-factor authentication (2FA). You can also do this for your eSIM profile activation.

For physical SIM cards, activating a PIN was a way to prevent anyone from getting access to your SIM. If anyone tries to enter an incorrect PIN, it automatically gets blocked, and only the owner would be able to retrieve it.

This can also be employed for eSIMs to prevent another person from gaining access to your data, in case of theft or loss of device.

• Update your device regularly

Be sure to update your device as soon as an update is released. This is to protect your device’s firmware and software against known vulnerabilities.

• Be careful with Public Wi-Fis

When managing eSIM profiles, make sure to use secure networks to prevent data interception. You don’t want to be connecting to every random wi-fi.

A bonus tip: If you notice unusual activity or receive unexpected profile changes, report it to your carrier immediately.

eSIM vs. Physical SIM: Which is More Secure?

Well, in terms of comparing technology, it’s like a risk-reward ratio sort of thing. Not to sound cliché, but everything that has a good side also has a bad side. However, let’s do some comparisons.

Resilience to Physical Theft:

• Unlike physical SIMs, eSIMs cannot be removed or swapped without accessing the device. This means that eSIMs are more resilient to physical theft and damages, unlike physical SIM cards which can be lost or stolen.
• eSIMs eliminate the need for physical handling or touching, thereby reducing risk of cloning or tampering.
• eSIMs leverage modern encryption techniques, making them more secure against interception and unauthorized duplication.

However, it should be noted that physical SIMs have the advantage of being easily removable, which can be useful in certain scenarios, such as quickly disabling a compromised device.

Conclusion

We can all agree that the telecommunication industry has evolved over the years. From the transition of the first SIM cards, which were the size of a credit card, to coming up with a non-physical card, we can see that there is a significant leap forward in mobile connectivity and convenience.

However, with any technology, we must remain security conscious to make sure our data is not compromised at any point in time.