The Challenge: Securing Private 5G Networks in a Multifaceted Threat Landscape 

The global telecommunications infrastructure is undergoing a radical transformation, spearheaded by the deployment of Fifth Generation New Radio (5G-NR) technology. 5G enables a diverse ecosystem of real-time applications, including enhanced Wireless Priority Services (eWPS), Internet of Things (IoT), Massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC), enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR). This ecosystem leverages technologies such as high-speed mobile connectivity, distributed cloud environments, virtualized network functions (SDN/NFV), open-source software components, and machine-learning algorithms for automated service orchestration and Operations, Administration, Management, and Provisioning (OAM&P). 

While 5G offers enhanced system capacity, data rates, reduced latency (under 10 milliseconds), massive device connectivity, and improved security, its inherent complexity introduces new attack vectors. Unlike 4G LTE, 5G leverages cloud computing technologies, including software-defined networking (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV), virtualization, and multi-access edge computing (MEC).

Furthermore, the 5G ecosystem leverages several standards and protocols (e.g., NAS, DIAMETER, SIP, HTTP/2/TLS) to support a variety of use cases for both consumers and enterprise organizations (e.g., Industry 4.0/M2M, Telemedicine, AV/VR, smart cities). The diverse technologies used to support 5G, the multitude of interactions, and interdependencies between the various architectural elements (e.g., radio access, core network elements, network functions, and protocols) increase the level of complexity and consequently introduce new attack vectors. This mandates rigorous security assessments, drawing on expertise and guidance from organizations such as 3GPP, NIST, ISASecure, GSMA, IEEE, CISA, and ENISA.

The stringent requirements of industrial automation, necessitating real-time performance, ultra-reliability, and robust security, amplify the security risks.
A compromise can lead to data breaches, disruptions in critical processes, potentially resulting in physical damage, safety incidents, and significant financial losses. This case study details a security assessment of a private 5G Standalone (SA) network designed to support industrial automation. The objective is to identify vulnerabilities, assess the risk and impact of relevant threats, and determine the viability of applicable attacks, including eavesdropping, disruption, rogue base stations, and unauthorized access to network elements and operational technology (OT). 

Get more details in our case study: 

Securing Private 5G: 30 Risks You Need to Know

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