As the sophistication of computer networks has increased, cybercriminals have also improved their methods. In fact, hacking has become a dark business in its own right, as illegal "crimeware" products are sold in the same way as network security packages: from support services to "try before you" offers. purchase".
5G network security threats
Some of the advantages of 5G are high data transfer speeds and increased capacity. But while consumers and legitimate businesses, such as those in the telecommunications sector, will undoubtedly benefit, it also presents new opportunities for cybercriminals . Furthermore, the increased connectivity associated with 5G and the Internet of Things means there is a larger global network "surface" on which hackers can operate to find vulnerabilities.
This factor has been identified as one of the top concerns for businesses in North America, India, Australia, and the UK, according to a recent AT&T survey. Other crucial security issues highlighted in the AT&T survey included the growing number of IoT devices (Gartner predicts this will reach 25 billion in the next two years) and the need to authenticate and enforce appropriate security policies on those devices. Regarding IoT, this concern won't be limited to telecoms and corporate network security officers; the 2016 Mirai botnet cyberattack leveraged the connectivity of hundreds of thousands of personal webcams, routers, and other poorly protected devices to launch distributed denial-of-service attacks against major companies like Twitter and Spotify. And, once they gain access to a network, with the high speeds of 5G, attackers can steal data very quickly. Mirai highlighted a critical weakness of IoT: it doesn't require penetrating robust corporate defenses to gain access to an organization's network. Cybercriminals only need to gain access to a device connected to that network, which can be as simple as impersonating an employee using their smartwatch or phone.
Fight against 5G network security threats
No single security method can offer 100% protection. However, 5G network security threats can be mitigated. The first steps are risk assessment and vulnerability testing. In these cases, the key is finding a reliable partner who can test a network using advanced tools to detect weaknesses. Once a network's backdoors have been identified, it is much easier to close them. A robust 5G network security plan should include virtualized and automated security controls with built-in artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities; after all, it is relatively easy to defend against known weaknesses and threats, but a network that can spot new anomalies as they develop is far better protected than one that cannot. IT security managers also need to consider a zero-trust environment, which involves proactively blocking network access from any device that has not been positively identified. Finally – and of particular importance for telecoms – all partners must collaborate on security implementation and policies, which could involve working with a managed security services provider.
The global implementation of 5G will undoubtedly have profound and positive effects on society in the long term and will revolutionize communications. But the benefits include a need for prudence; the days of installing antivirus software and hoping it would keep a network safe are long gone.