The Access Point Name (APN): Why it is essential for your company's endpoint security

As an IT security professional, you know that mobile devices pose a major challenge to endpoint security. Smartphones, tablets and other networked devices in your company - whether in healthcare, manufacturing or critical organizations - are potential gateways for cyberattacks.

The access point name (APN) plays a crucial, often underestimated role. It is more than just a technical setting; it is the key to securely controlling mobile data traffic and therefore an indispensable tool for protecting sensitive company data.

A. What is an Access Point Name?

An Access Point Name (APN) is essentially a gateway name that connects a mobile device to the correct network within a mobile service provider. You can think of the APN as a kind of zip code that tells the mobile network provider how and where a device's data should be routed. It controls which IP address is assigned to the device, which security settings are used and which private or public network the device is connected to. Without a correctly configured APN, a mobile device cannot establish a data connection.

B. A structure of the Access Point Name

The structure of an APN is quite simple but systematic. It consists of two main components separated by a dot.

• Network Identifier: This part is required and defines which external network the mobile operator is connecting to. It can describe the name of the customer network, the use case or the service.

• Operator Identifier: This optional part consists of a country code and an operator code (Mobile Country Code and Mobile Network Code) that identify the mobile operator. For example, "mnc01.mcc262.gprs" stands for a specific German mobile network provider.
  
  

C. 2 Types of access point names and user-defined APNs

APNs come in different flavors that are designed for different use cases. Understanding these variants is critical to choosing the right connectivity for your business needs. There are two main types of Access Point Names:

1. Public APNs: These are the standard APNs provided by mobile service providers for general internet usage. They allow access to the public Internet. They are usually accessible to everyone and do not offer any special security functions, which makes them unsafe for sensitive company data.

2. Private APNs: These are set up specifically for companies and are not publicly accessible. They connect mobile devices directly to the company's private network and bypass the public Internet. As a result, they offer a significantly higher level of security and control.

A custom APN is a specific type of private APN. It is created by a company in collaboration with the mobile operator to provide a customized connectivity solution. With a custom APN, you can define exactly what type of traffic is allowed and what security policies apply. This flexibility is especially valuable for industries like manufacturing, where control over IoT devices and their communications is critical.

D. APN vs. VPN

Both APNs and  VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) are used to secure connectivity, but they work in fundamentally different ways. The distinction between them is important to develop the right security strategy for mobile endpoints.

The following table shows the five key differences between Access Point Names and VPNs.

E. The Internet of Things (IoT) and private APNs

The networking of devices via the Internet of Things (IoT) presents companies with new security challenges. The use of private APNs is an effective answer here.

Private APNs are the first choice for ensuring the security of IoT devices. They isolate the data traffic of critical devices - such as medical devices in a hospital or sensors in a manufacturing plant - from the public internet. As each device communicates directly with the corporate network via the private APN, the attack surface is massively reduced. This prevents unauthorized third parties from accessing the devices or intercepting their data, which is essential for maintaining operational security and protecting sensitive information.

F. How can companies implement it?

Implementing an Access Point Name in a company requires close coordination with the mobile network provider. This process is essential in order to adapt connectivity to the specific security requirements of industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and critical infrastructure. The process begins with the selection of a dedicated, private APN that is specifically configured for the company's requirements. In healthcare, a private APN enables the secure transmission of patient data from mobile devices without passing through the public internet, which complies with compliance requirements such as the GDPR or HIPAA.

In manufacturing, the APN is used to isolate industrial IoT devices and sensors from the public infrastructure, massively reducing the attack surface and ensuring the operational safety of the equipment. For critical infrastructure organisations (CRITIS), the private APN provides a highly secure, reliable connection that enables direct access to the internal corporate network and minimises the risk of external cyber attacks. The specific implementation is carried out in close cooperation with the provider, who stores the APN settings on the SIM cards or provides them via Mobile Device Management (MDM).

A thorough understanding of access point naming is essential for any organization operating mobile endpoints securely. The deliberate configuration and use of private APNs is not just a technical finesse, but a strategic decision to strengthen cybersecurity. By isolating and controlling your devices' mobile traffic, you create a robust line of defense against potential threats.

Private APNs are the first step in ensuring the security of sensitive data in industries such as healthcare, manufacturing and other critical sectors. They are an indispensable part of a comprehensive security strategy that guarantees the protection of your corporate assets in an increasingly mobile world.