National Security is Reliant on Secure 5G Networks

5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks. It promises to increase download and upload speeds, improve reliability, and decrease latency. It also aims to increase the number of devices you can connect with at one time. While complete 5G deployment is still some time away, we are beginning to identify the advantages of implementing the latest edition of mobile networks.

5G aims to speed up innovation and boost productivity with its increased speed and capabilities. 5G deployment will improve millions of lives, while countless industries will see boosts in their productivity. However, this transition from one generation of mobile networks to the next will come with new mobile security challenges. With an increased network of connected devices, the potential attack surface is much broader. While 5G promises to improve lives, we need to ensure that our 5G networks are secure from the start.

A study conducted by Juniper Research predicts that the United States will make up for nearly half of all compromised or breached data by 2023. Because of the country’s susceptibility to cyberattacks, the United States must make a concerted effort to ensure our 5G networks are secure and resilient, setting an example for 5G security for the rest of the world.

ARYU Networks is thrilled about the future 5G promises, and we plan on working to ensure that 5G networks are deployed that protect national security. We understand the importance of having quick and reliable mobile networks, but we also understand the importance of protecting your privacy and security.

How 5G Differs

While 5G is the next generation of mobile networks, it does differ from the previous generations. These differences are what make 5G so efficient, but also what makes it so crucial to secure these networks. As we said, 5G deployment is still some years away. At the moment, 5G networks are piggybacking off of established 4G LTE networks. It is set to augment these networks to reach 5G benefits until it’s ready to replace 4G.

When deployed, 5G will utilize brand-new technology, operating on new network architecture. This service-based architecture (SBA) that 5G will operate on will “virtualize” 5G, meaning that the core network functions occur through cloud-based networks. This will lower the cost of computing and shrink the size of these networks.

This new structure will provide more opportunities to modify security solutions for different functions, which boosts network security. 5G networks will provide a more distinct control of access to data. Additionally, it allows you to obscure connections between network segments better, greater requirements for extended authentication, and improved privacy protections, among other things. As you can see, 5G creates a strong, more secure, and trustworthy network that will improve national security.

Setting the Standard

As we said, the U.S. is at a high risk of data breaches, which means our wireless networks must be more secure. Since 5G will operate on brand-new technology, we must establish an approach that prioritizes users’ security. This approach should cover four key areas:

• Standards: providing suppliers and carriers with a well-established and easy to understand technical comprehension of interoperability and security
• Products: internal frameworks should be established that ensure products are designed with security and privacy in mind
• Deployments: resilient and secure supply chains should back network deployment
• Operations: network operations should be secure from the start, placing priority on confidentiality, integrity, and availability

By placing focus on these four areas, we put ourselves in a better position to protect and ensure our national security. The U.S. is full of trustworthy 5G suppliers. This creates a competitive environment, which breeds innovation. This innovation will naturally lead to improved network security across the nation and the world.

As the years have passed, telecommunication’s place in society has only grown more crucial. The framework put in place by emerging and advancing telecommunications networks has connected our global economy. Because of this reliance, national security becomes a glaring issue.

With 5G deployment speeding up, we must continue to push for a more secure and reliable system that prioritizes security and privacy. We must have trusted and reliable suppliers in place who create and deploy secure products.

Government Assistance

5G is a step in the right direction when it comes to improving efficiency, productivity, and speed, but it also presents some new security issues. Since these issues are national security issues, it would make sense that to help ensure that users’ privacy is secured, the national government will provide assistance.

There are several collaborations between the national government and private suppliers, ensuring the development and deployment of secure 5G networks. For example, the Department of Homeland Security ICT Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) Task Force showcases how effective collaborations between the government and industry leaders are at providing effective and useful guidelines that are easily shared and distributed.

In April 2020, lawmakers passed legislation that would boost 5G efforts in the U.S. This includes setting “aside $750 million within a grant program overseen by the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to help support the deployment and use of 5G networks in the U.S.”

Even further, the White House published a National Security Strategy to Secure 5G in the U.S., which highlighted how integral to national security 5G is and how it also presents new problems. As you can see, the U.S. government is taking steps to ensure that 5G networks are secure.

ARYU Networks understands the benefits 5G will present the world. While we are some time away from 5G deployment, it’s time to focus on its potential security threats. It’s important to take an all-inclusive approach to protect the privacy of users and national security. ARYU Networks continues to work to ensure that this future is achieved.