The existence of ever-evolving technology allows many people to enjoy various benefits and makes many tasks easier. The fifth generation of wireless network technology not only aims to deliver significantly faster speeds and lower latency, but also serves to promote economic growth. It can enable new business models, improve productivity, and create entirely new industries, particularly in the realm of IoT use cases. However, it is very important to note that to maximise the application of 5G wireless network technology and reap its many benefits, 5G network security is required.
Having a system that provides an extra layer of protection makes your system more secure and protects it from the many cyber threats that are also evolving all the time. Therefore, learn more about 5G network security and its features to protect your network system better.
What Is 5G Security?
5G network security is an additional layer of protection in the form of a set of protocols designed to keep 5G network technology more secure against potential security risks. The large number of cyber security threats that endanger systems and pose significant risks to a system makes 5G security crucial. It also has technology to introduce a wide range of possible vulnerabilities, allowing users to be better prepared to keep the system safe and confidential.
What is the difference between 4G and 5G security?
Having 5G network security technology is an improvement over 4G, making its security more complex and enhancing the capabilities of the network itself. However, the significant difference in scalability makes 5G superior in many ways, such as having more advanced technology and supporting a significantly higher number of connected devices. While it offers numerous benefits to an organisation, it can also pose risks, as the large number of connected devices can become highly vulnerable if not adequately secured by 5G security measures.
Therefore, 5G provides significant benefits for organisations to enhance their overall performance, particularly in the field of technology and mobile network innovations. Nevertheless, it carries a higher risk of being targeted by cyber threats compared to 4G network security.
5G security features
5G networks security come with several features that help protect users and data from malicious activities. Let’s explore some of the most essential features of the 5G infrastructure that contribute to its security.
Encryption
In terms of system protection, 5G network security offers stronger encryption algorithms and authentication mechanisms than 4G network security. 5G network security use 256-bit encryption keys (compared to 128-bit in 4G) and implement enhanced customer identity protection. This strong encryption scrambles and makes communications over the network unreadable to anyone without the decryption key. Therefore, 5G security provides strong protection to prevent sensitive data from leaking to unauthorised parties through practical network functions.
Authentication and authorisation
Besides having strong encryption, 5G network security require robust authentication and authorisation methods to verify the identity of users, devices, and services. The system will be more secure because 5G security ensures that only authorised users can access specific network resources. With authentication protection in place, this prevents cyberattacks from gaining access and breaking into the system.
Privacy
Having 5G wireless network security means having a network system that can maintain privacy well and is very secure. Higher generation network security handles personal data more securely for the convenience of users. Therefore, personal information contained in the network system will have a very low risk of being stolen by cyber attackers.
Reliability
5G network security are designed to be highly reliable, with minimal downtime. The infrastructure is optimised for both high availability and fault tolerance, ensuring smooth and secure service. This level of reliability is crucial for critical services, such as emergency response systems and financial transactions, as it prevents disruptions caused by security breaches or cyber threats.
Roaming security
In an organisation, many users may use devices across different regions, making roaming security crucial. To provide better security, 5G security is the best solution because it has advanced roaming security protocols when users connect to different operators or networks. Moreover, roaming security will keep the data in the system more secure and well-organised.
How Does 5G Work?
5G works as a combination of higher frequency radio waves, advanced antennas, and cloud-based computing systems. With a more complex and extensive architecture than 4G network technology, 5G offers many benefits, such as much faster data transfer speeds, faster connections, higher capacity, and lower latency, which many organisations greatly need. However, 5G security works by providing a protective layer for the system’s complexity, safeguarding it from cyber threats and minimising the risk of significant disruptions that could negatively impact system reliability.
What makes 5G networks harder to secure?
Unlike 4G network security, 5G networks have a more complex architecture and greater scalability. Therefore, this system is challenging to secure. Moreover, they combine private and public networks that were not previously applied by previous generations, giving them different security requirements. Therefore, 5G networks, which are more vulnerable than other networks, require robust protection layers using 5G security protocols to safeguard critical infrastructure.
What exactly needs to be protected in a 5G network?
5G network security technology is highly scalable, leading many people to wonder what needs to be protected from 5G networks.
Start with the infrastructure
The core infrastructure of a 5G network, including the servers, routers, and network nodes, must be protected against cyber threats. These components are the backbone of the radio access network, and any disruption can cause widespread service failure. Securing the critical infrastructure helps ensure the network runs smoothly and safely, minimising the attack surface for potential threats.
Then there’s the traffic
A network system certainly has extensive and highly diverse data traffic, especially since it usually consists of sensitive data that can only be accessed by internal parties. This sensitive data is highly diverse and can include financial transactions, personal user data, and other information that requires robust data security measures. However, implementing 5G security helps you to protect sensitive data.
Finally, the users
In a 5G network security system, users are often the weakest link that can be exploited by cyber threats, highlighting the need for a zero-trust approach. Therefore, 5G security offers protection that prioritises data privacy, ensuring all sensitive and confidential data is more secure. Strong encryption and authentication can reduce the risk of your data privacy being easily compromised.
5G Security Challenges
Despite all the advancements in 5G, there are still several challenges related to the implementation of network functions and security architecture. The scale and complexity of 5G network security make it difficult to implement uniform security protocols across all components. Furthermore, the rapid deployment of 5G technologies has outpaced the development of adequate security controls, making networks vulnerable to attacks.
The integration of legacy systems and the need for backwards compatibility also complicates the security process. As more devices get connected to 5G, the potential for vulnerabilities grows, and attackers have more opportunities to exploit weak points in the system. The security measures for 5G networks must evolve quickly to meet these challenges.
Who’s responsible for keeping 5G secure?
Communications service providers (CSPs) lead the charge
Communication Service Providers (CSPs) play a central role in securing 5G network security. They are responsible for deploying and maintaining the infrastructure and ensuring that their networks adhere to the highest cybersecurity standards. CSPs must also work closely with other stakeholders to keep the network safe from cyber threats.
Governments shape the environment
Governments shape the security environment by setting regulations and standards for 5G network security. They work with industry players to ensure that security measures are up to date and that there are robust frameworks in place to handle emerging threats to the 5G infrastructure.
Enterprises play a different role
Enterprises using 5G network security must also ensure the cybersecurity of their data and systems by leveraging edge computing solutions. They are responsible for implementing internal security controls and ensuring that their employees use the network securely within the private 5G environment. Enterprises must work with CSPs to ensure that their 5G connectivity is safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How secure is a 5G network?
5G networks provide enhanced security features, such as stronger encryption and better authentication, making them more secure than earlier generations of mobile networks. However, their complexity and the large number of connected devices present ongoing security challenges that require continuous monitoring and updates.
Which 5G network is best, NSA or SA?
The Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G network relies on existing 4G infrastructure, whereas the Standalone (SA) network is built entirely on 5G infrastructure, which improves its capabilities. The SA 5G network provides superior performance and security, as it functions on a fully independent 5G core.
Is 5G secure for banking?
Yes, 5G networks can be secure for banking, as long as both the bank’s infrastructure and the user’s device are properly protected within the core network. With 5G’s improved encryption and authentication methods, banking transactions can be safer than they were on previous generations. However, the complexity of the network necessitates careful cybersecurity management.
Conclusion
Ensuring the security of 5G networks is crucial for maintaining the safety and reliability of the next generation of communication. While 5G offers numerous advancements over previous technologies, it also brings new vulnerabilities. By understanding how 5G operates, the key aspects that require protection, and the security challenges it encounters, both individuals and businesses can better prepare themselves to navigate the risks associated with the deployment of this emerging technology. As 5G continues to develop, ongoing security improvements will be essential for safeguarding the future of global connectivity.
