Securing 5G networks: challenges and opportunities in the telecoms sector

However, to secure critical infrastructures, customer privacy and data integrity, the telecoms industry must consider both the opportunities and challenges that this new technology brings.

Challenges of 5G

Security is specified as a crucial design principle in the 5G standard. This often implies that you will read that 5G is 'secure by design'. However, the truth is that 5G security is limited to the network only. It does not cover the devices and tasks that customers will use to communicate over a 5G network.

Expanded attack surface

One of the main challenges in securing 5G networks is the greatly increased potential for attacks. Unlike previous generations, the 5G architecture uses software-defined networking (SDN), virtualisation and cloud computing, which creates new entry points for cyberattacks. In addition, 5G enables widespread device connectivity, with billions of IoT devices expected to be connected to these networks. The increase in connected devices poses significant challenges in monitoring and securing each endpoint, creating vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to disrupt service, steal data or gain control of devices. The variety of device types makes security more complex due to different security standards and update protocols.

Supply chain vulnerabilities

Another major obstacle is the dependence on third-party suppliers for essential network parts. Telecom providers often collaborate with third-party suppliers of hardware, software and infrastructure services to accelerate 5G deployment and reduce costs. Relying on these third-party components makes networks vulnerable to supply chain attacks, as weaknesses in these components could jeopardise the entire network.

Privacy and data encryption challenges

Since 5G networks handle a large amount of data, a large part of which is sensitive data, they also need to be protected by modern encryption and data privacy techniques. Researchers are experimenting and studying more effective data protection techniques that can work on a large scale without sacrificing performance, such as quantum-resistant encryption. The business and technical problem facing telecoms is finding a balance between the need for strong encryption and the demand for data speed.

5G opportunities

Opportunities through network fragmentation

In addition to the challenges, the transition to 5G offers opportunities to improve cybersecurity through innovation. Network fragmentation, which divides the network into separate sections to contain potential breaches, is one of the most advanced security measures that telcos can implement with 5G. Telecom operators can design virtual networks with different security protocols for different use cases by fragmenting the network. For example, an industrial IoT portion would focus on preventing unwanted access to machines, while a healthcare network portion could prioritise secure data exchange for applications in medicine. This approach offers a means of customising security protocols to meet the different requirements of various industries.

Leveraging AI and machine learning for threat detection

Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) present another opportunity for threat detection and response. Telecom operators can use AI-based security analytics to monitor and react to potential attacks instantly thanks to the large capacity and data throughput of 5G. Telecom operators can proactively fight cyber-attacks by using machine learning (ML) algorithms to analyse network traffic patterns, identify anomalies and even anticipate cyber-attacks.

Towards resilient 5G security

In conclusion, securing 5G networks is a complex task that involves addressing new challenges, such as an expanded attack surface, supply chain vulnerabilities and the need for advanced data protection. However, it also provides telcos with powerful tools and methods to create more resilient and adaptive security measures. Through innovations such as network fragmentation and AI-powered threat detection, telecom operators can leverage the capabilities of 5G to transform their cybersecurity practices and ultimately provide more secure and reliable networks for the future.