Security should be involved in the early stages of development, especially with new network technologies like 5G. Some of the security hurdles that 5G can present are network visibility issues, increased entry points being exploited by criminals, and increased security challenges from service providers.
The rate of innovation in communications technology has significantly speeded up in the past few years, and wireless providers have dealt with the demands for advancements by rolling out new Internet of Things (IoT) devices. 3G and 4G wireless networks have made businesses more agile and mobile but now 5G comes with the promise of even higher performing networks and greater bandwidth. 5G offers customers faster, more reliable internet, with reduced latency issues for their employees, no matter their location or the device they use.
5G holds great promise, and many organizations are already reaping its benefits. That being said, the transformation of mobile networks has greater risks that cannot be ignored. It may be enticing to redesign mobile networks for greater agility, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, but organizations need to be aware of the security challenges that arise from developing and implementing this infrastructure.
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New Security Risks with 5G
Security vulnerabilities in mobile networks are rapidly increasing as the number of attacks from multiple points is rising as networks transform. Early adopters of 5G may face security threats as the early-stage version of the network may contain vulnerabilities that haven’t been discovered yet. 5G also presents increased exposure to threats because of the addition of new network entry points, visibility issues, and increased risks from suppliers.
5G is will likely become the new standard for mobile data networks, and businesses must focus on the bigger picture. Instead of fighting the 5G revolution, organizations need to reassess their security strategy for the implementation of 5G networks.
Prioritise Security
Most organizations test their network security in the implementation stage, and quite often they simply verify if their network is secure from known risks, overlooking the need to test interworking security.
Furthermore, in the case of interworking security, it may be a swift, low-cost deployment approach that gets the network running, however, it is not the right approach for 5G security. 5G networks need to connect and exchange data with 4G networks, and, as a result of that there may be significant security risks from substandard network management, misconfigurations, and security integrations of the networks.
Some early adopters may handle 5G security risks with new solutions that were not created for the new network, but this approach could prove to be dangerous. It may create more network entry points for threat actors to exploit. Instead of multiple, patchwork solutions for addressing vulnerabilities arising from the 5G implementation, organizations should analyze the SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) model for enhanced network and security success for the new networks.
Achieving 5G Security Success with SASE
With 5G networks allowing enterprises to distribute enormous amounts of data across their infrastructures and networks, sending all business data to one single location can be problematic. Organizations will have to create a more powerful edge network and data must be sent to networks that are nearer to the location of the employee rather than the corporate headquarters or a centralized remote office.
Also Read: Addressing the Red Flags Associated with 5G Network
With increased adoption of cloud-based tools and security solutions in business environments, the amount of data going through the network will grow exponentially. It will become more challenging for security teams to deploy policies to defend against potential threats on the network. And, this is where SASE becomes valuable for 5G networks.
By implementing a SASE model, organizations get a secure, updated 5G network, and complete cloud security strategy going forward. With SASE matching capable of matching the speed and flexibility of 5G organizations will be able to address the inevitable challenges that come with the widespread adoption of new communications technologies.
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