5G SECURITY AND SERVICES - More Secure and Authentic

 INTRODUCTION-

With the advent of the 5G network, connectivity is undergoing an evolutionary shift. Data security remains a top priority even as Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) focus on increasing network density, adding spectrum, and upgrading active equipment. While higher encryption levels in the 5G network increase security, they do not protect against hackers who may attempt to break into the system via unsecured endpoint devices. 

What are the 3 types of 5G services?

There are several frequencies through which the 5G security services operate. Low-band is similar to flood light in that it casts an illuminating beam over a wide area but may not be the most concentrated, high-performing light. Mid-band resembles a more precise flashlight beam with a smaller cast radius. High-band is similar to a laser pointer in terms of precision but has a limited range of illumination.

Low Band 5G 

Low-band 5G is included in the coverage layer alongside 4G LTE and Gigabit-Class LTE. Low-band 5G, which comprises sub-2 GHz frequencies, has the most limited performance capabilities compared to other 5G spectrum bands. According to Opensignal's most recent benchmark report, the average 4G download speed across 15 major mobile countries is 37 Mbps. The average 5G download speed in the United States was reported at 55 Mbps, serving as a proxy for low-band 5G. However, with the adoption of 4G and low-band 5G increasing, the Cradlepoint 5G Strategy team predicts that peak coverage layer speeds could reach 350 Mbps, most add speed of 60 Mbps, and latency inside the 30 ms range.

The coverage layer, which includes low-band 5G, has the highest propagation, which means its signal can penetrate obstacles and travel long distances. Because of the historical scarcity of the mid-band 5G spectrum, low-band 5G has the most widespread coverage in the United States.

Mid-Band 5G 

The mid-band 5G spectrum spans frequencies ranging from 2 to 7 GHz. In addition to medium propagation, mid-band 5G is expected to reach download speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 350 Mbps with latency ranging from 8-12 ms using a 5G standalone core. Today's mid-band speeds are in the mid-100 Mbps range, getting faster. This type of 5G would be appropriate if propagation and performance were bowls of porridge in a woodland cottage.

High Band 5G 

High-band 5G uses cellular frequencies in the millimeter wave spectrum (mmWave), which includes frequencies at or above 24 GHz. High-band 5G is the highest-performing layer of the 5G spectrum, with download speeds of up to 3 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps with latency in the single-digit milliseconds with a 5G standalone core.

Although high-band 5G can carry more data than low- and mid-band 5G, its propagation is slower than the other 5G spectrum bands. High-band 5G transmission is largely limited to line-of-sight and is easily disrupted by weather, structural interference, and distance.

Who is responsible for 5G security?

Security concerns are not a new concept in the mobile industry. There has long been a focus on security, which serves as a strong market differentiator compared to other wireless technologies, some of which have inherently more vulnerable network architectures. Using licensed spectrum by mobile devices adds another layer of security against eavesdropping on data, voice, and video traffic. Network segmentation is frequently used in businesses to reduce security risks. Now, 5G introduces the concept of network slicing, which gives mobile operators segmentation capabilities that previous generations did not have. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a global standards body that works on mobile technology specifications, approaches security by bringing together seven telecommunications standard development organizations. 

Its working groups have developed standard security features and mechanisms for 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies. The SA3 Working Group is in charge of 3GPP system security and privacy architectures and protocols. SA3's most recent 5G security specification defines the security architecture, features, mechanisms, and procedures used in the 5G core and 5G New Radio (NR).

How is 5G service secured?

We must approach 5G security as a balancing act. On the one hand, security was designed into 5G from the start. However, a tidal wave of new devices and connections will make managing security much more difficult.

5G was designed to ensure connection reliability at its core. According to an Ericsson white paper, the five core properties of 5G security are resilience, communication security, identity management, privacy, and security assurance. According to the document, 5G's trustworthiness is enabled by a set of security features developed using system design principles and a risk-based mindset.

Different networks and services can share the same infrastructure while remaining isolated and segregated, thanks to network slicing. Network slicing separates (or slices) specific types of network traffic to meet the needs of different use cases, such as enterprise, consumer, IoT, or public safety.

Because it leverages network slicing, cloud-based resources, virtualization, and other emerging technologies, 5G's security architecture provides significant performance benefits and application diversity.

However, new security risks and attack surfaces come with these additions and changes.

Does 5G reduce cyber security?

The advanced generation (5G and cybersecurity) outperforms 4G in terms of speed, security, and reliability. This is due to increased bandwidth and more connection points. With its expanded radio waves, 5G can connect to more devices. Because the sophistication of cyber threats continues to evolve, there are still 5G cybersecurity threats. While 5G could mitigate most cyber threats through artificial intelligence, faster cyber threat detection, better data management, and data encryption, the digital ecosystem remains vulnerable to the ever-changing threat landscape. Using IoT and the Internet of Medical Technologies (IoMT) in 5G cybersecurity opens up new avenues for investigation. There is no denying that 5G cybersecurity will provide better protection against cyber criminals; however, it may also introduce new 5G network security concerns and vulnerabilities that have yet to be discovered.

Addressing known vulnerabilities and introducing new security elements is critical right now. SecurityGen's 5G Security Program is specifically designed to assist MNOs in strengthening their security strategy and provides comprehensive guidelines for maintaining the reliability and resiliency of 5G SA/NSA networks and services.

Securitygen's 5G Security initiative

• Threat assessment in terms of business impact based on extensive assessments, clear, actionable recommendations for ongoing 5G security strategy.

• Advice on how to address critical weaknesses and vulnerabilities right away.

• Providing security for a variety of service offerings

• Compliance with industry recommendations is checked wherever possible.

CONCLUSION- 

With the growing technological advancement, the vulnerabilities against such networks are also increasing, and concerns about the safety and security of the networks are also increasing. Network security companies like Securitygen are putting every effort into providing the best security to their customers.