Understanding Cybersecurity Risks and Solutions for 5G Network Slicing, according to SecurityGen
According to research by the GSMA, the market for virtual network slicing among businesses is estimated to reach a value of USD$300bn by 2025. However, mobile operators must be aware of the added responsibility they will face regarding cybersecurity if they choose to offer network slicing to their business clients using their 5G networks. SecurityGen’s co-founder and CTO, Dmitry Kurbatov, has cautioned that the success of network slicing depends on honesty and transparency between operators and businesses regarding the safest and most secure choice that meets their connectivity needs. Kurbatov has also highlighted that breach isolation, where hackers can access one slice of the network from another via shared network resources, is the most probable cyber-attack vector via a 5G network slice. Therefore, operators and enterprises must have a proactive plan in place to deal with possible cyber threats and vulnerabilities that may arise from using a virtual slice of a 5G network.
Effective cybersecurity measures can be put in place, including identifying core assets and threats, protecting assets, continuously monitoring security status, and having a remediation plan ready to recover from any breach. Finally, Kurbatov concludes that tried and tested IT security frameworks and approaches can work if applied properly to a 5G network slice rollout and supported by an in-depth understanding of the mobile telecom domain.
