On Her Majesty’s Secret Service - GRX and a Spy Agency

Explore the controversial world of GPRS Roaming eXchange (GRX) and its connection to government surveillance in this 54-minute conference talk from the 44CON Information Security Conference. Delve into the high-profile Edward Snowden revelations, focusing on the alleged hacking of Belgian GRX provider Belgacom International Carrier Services (BICS) by the UK's Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). Examine the tactics used by intelligence agencies to target GRX provider employees and gain access to core routers. Uncover the motivations behind these actions, including the alleged goal of conducting man-in-the-middle "traffic sniffing" attacks against mobile users roaming with smartphones and data-capable devices. Gain insights into the intersection of telecommunications infrastructure, national security, and privacy concerns in the digital age.