5G Will Disrupt Cyber Security

Cyber security has become an essential part of business and organisations need to strategically plan their investments in technology for both cyber security for commercial development and IT security. The introduction of 5G networks will enable the connection for billions of new devices, sensors, and systems that will intelligently connect to the network based on their time sensitivity and computational needs. 

Digital transformation needs to be planned so businesses can stay competitive and they should invest in 5G technologies to create new opportunities for cyber security protection. This is really important, as  cyber criminals are constantly devising new ways to hack into a system and steal confidential data and personal information. 

5G will be a physical overhaul of our essential networks that will have decades-long impact. Because 5G is the conversion to a mostly all-software network, future upgrades will be software updates much like the current upgrades to your smartphone. Because of the cyber vulnerabilities of software, the tougher part of the real 5G “race” is to retool how we secure the most important network of the 21st century and the ecosystem of devices and applications that spring from that network.

5G Technologies & Benefits 

Organisations and businesses that use 5G architecture are in the best position to protect themselves from being targeted and hacked.  The engagement with 5G offers new possibilities for the business world and its ability to enhance security measures and battle cyber criminals. The use of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing and the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT), all enabled by the strong backbone network provided by 5G and this will help IT teams prevent new cyber security threats to operate entire business networks more securely. 

5G will also leverage network virtualisation (NV), which consolidates hardware and software network resources into a single virtual network, to help manage problems remotely and optimize network services. Organisations will need to take advantage of NV to make their networks nimbler and more responsive, and NV will give them the ability to provide real-time services to their clients. 

The high speed offered by 5G will also enable implementation of cyber technologies such as deep packet inspection (DPI), a type of data processing that interrogates in detail all data being sent over a computer network. 

5G-Based Vulnerabilities 

While 5G is transformative with its high speeds and connection capabilities, there are different ways in which 5G can also open doors to new vulnerabilities. 5G will lead to the explosion in IoT and IoMT (Internet of Medical Things) where cybersecurity will be of paramount importance.  5G technology is two pronged in that it can serve to protect organisations from cyber-criminals looking to exploit network vulnerabilities, but at the same time, it can also create vulnerabilities for businesses as well. 

With this extremely complicated problem in mind, organisations must redefine their cyber security strategic planning to ensure that they can utilize 5G for the greatest good and continually upgrade the nature of their networks to protect themselves from future attacks. Cyber planning and protection must be dynamic rather than reliant on a uniform lowest common denominator solution. 

5G Cyber Resilience 

The challenges of securing organisations from cyber attacks have risen dramatically amid the pandemic as ‘working from anywhere’ has been accepted as part of the ‘new normal’ in modern corporate culture. Unfortunately, with such a large population of the workforce spending time online from home and elsewhere using multiple devices that are susceptible to attacks, cyber criminals are easily finding ways to outsmart their victims. 

Through social engineering scams such as phishing email attacks, hackers are even using devices such as a mobile phone as a weapon against its owner. That is why it is imperative that organisations pro-actively educate their employees against cyber attacks. At the same time, organisations must also educate their customers and make them aware of social engineering schemes that can manipulate them into divulging confidential data using their own devices. 

While the rapid shift to a remote workforce has created new opportunities for cyber criminals, organisations having foresight are proactively shoring up their investments in 5G technology solutions to combat cyber crime and prove that they can operate successfully in a virtual capacity. 

For organisations trying to stay one step ahead of cyber- attacks on their networks, the need to detect and prevent cyber crime before it has happened is no longer optional but mandatory. 

As the US moves closer to widespread 5G adoption, both government and industry must begin to consider the security implications for the new wireless technology.  To help with that, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has published a report with the aim to secure the state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure from bad actors.

The transition to 5G presents a wealth of opportunities and new capabilities, changing the way the world communicates and shares information. With increased capabilities like faster download speeds and ultra-reliable connectivity, 5G networks will spark an industrial revolution that will enable the development of many new and enhanced services like autonomous vehicles, smart cities, augmented reality, and remote surgery. 

Given the potential for various applications and reliance of the network for future infrastructure, the stakes for safeguarding the network against these vulnerabilities could not be higher. 

Brookings Institute:         CISA:         GovTech:       Infosecurity Magazine:      Image: Unsplash

You Might Also Read: 

What You Need to Know About 5G:

 

« Hiring Good Cyber Security Professionals Is Hard Work
Get Your Cyber Security Plan In Place Now »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North Infosec Testing (North IT)

North IT (North Infosec Testing) are an award-winning provider of web, software, and application penetration testing.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

BackupVault

BackupVault

BackupVault is a leading provider of automatic cloud backup and critical data protection against ransomware, insider attacks and hackers for businesses and organisations worldwide.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

Boxcryptor

Boxcryptor

Boxcryptor encrypts your sensitive files before uploading them to cloud storage services.

Vdoo

Vdoo

Vdoo provides an end-to-end product security platform for automating all software security tasks throughout the entire product lifecycle.

VaultOne

VaultOne

VaultOne is a next-generation security solution that addresses security issues from different domains (Password Manager, Secure Access, PAM, Identity Management) as a single, integrated solution.

Slovak National Accreditation Service (SNAS)

Slovak National Accreditation Service (SNAS)

SNAS is the national accreditation body for Slovakia. The directory of members provides details of organisations offering certification services for ISO 27001.

Westminster Insight - Cyber Security Conference

Westminster Insight - Cyber Security Conference

Join colleagues this December for Westminster Insight’s Cyber Security Conference, as you’ll assess how new technologies such as AI can secure your organisation against future threats.

Critical Insight

Critical Insight

Critical Insight provide Managed Detection and Response, Vulnerability Detection, and Consulting Services to help you secure your mission-critical systems.

CYBAVO

CYBAVO

CYBAVO is a cryptocurrency security company founded by experts from the cryptocurrency and security industries.

KDM Analytics

KDM Analytics

KDM Analytics software products automate the NIST risk management framework (RMF) assessment for operational technology (OT) systems.

Velta Technology

Velta Technology

Velta Technology provide digital safety and cybersecurity solutions for the industrial space.

CyberHunter Solutions

CyberHunter Solutions

CyberHunter is a leading website security company that provides penetration testing, Network Vulnerability Assessments, cyber security consulting services to prevent cyber attacks.

Comcast Business

Comcast Business

Comcast Business keeps businesses ready for what’s next with powerful connectivity, advanced cybersecurity solutions, and the right people at your side.

PKI Solutions

PKI Solutions

PKI Solutions offers Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) products, services, and training to help ensure the security of organizations now and in the future.

Cloudsec Asia

Cloudsec Asia

Cloudsec Asia is Thailand's top-ranked cybersecurity consultant company. We offers security services to ensure that all your IT assets are reliable, accessible, and secure.

Interactive

Interactive

Interactive are a leading Australian IT service provider with services in Cloud, Cyber Security, Data Centres, Business Continuity, Hardware Maintenance, Digital Workplace, and Networks.

Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL)

Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CNIL)

The mission of CNIL is to protect personal data, support innovation, and preserve individual liberties.

Anatomy IT

Anatomy IT

Anatomy IT empowers healthcare providers to deliver exceptional patient care with cutting-edge technology and cybersecurity solutions.