North America is projected to have the world's highest adoption rate of 5G, the next-generation cellular network, by 2030. The ascension of 5G devices and technology brings a new challenge for small businesses: security. The market for 5G security is expected to grow by nearly 60% by 2030.
5G promises faster speeds, greater capacity, and lower latency, but it comes with more privacy and security concerns than legacy networks.
"There is more at stake with 5G than predecessor network implementations involving LTE and WiFi. Leading carriers will transform 5G security from a cost of doing business into a major market differentiator," wrote Mind Commerce.
Many small businesses that have already transitioned to 5G may not realize their data is vulnerable. Here's what you need to know about 5G and how to update your security protocols.
As with any new piece of technology, small business owners should update their cybersecurity measures and employee training to address the realities of 5G.
What is 5G security?
5G security describes physical and cyber security controls that protect the underlying 5G infrastructure. 5G security encompasses hardware, software, network traffic, users, and data interacting on any 5G network. In more practical terms, 5G security for small businesses considers the additional steps a company should take when using 5G-enabled devices.
5G networks enable more and more connected devices. The low latency of 5G means businesses can add more devices to their tech stack without sacrificing performance, creating a larger and more sophisticated attack surface for cybercriminals to exploit.
Additionally, the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) represents a new set of risks, as many of these devices do not have built-in security. Small businesses must be prepared for this expanded threat landscape.
Further, 5G won't supersede security vulnerabilities present in current 4G networks.
"5G builds upon previous generations and is currently being integrated with 4G LTE networks that contain legacy vulnerabilities. Some of these may affect 5G equipment and networks despite the integration of additional security features," wrote Iain Beveridge, Senior Product Marketing Manager at Entrust.
On the technical side, the configuration of 5G requires new security considerations.
"Network slicing, equipment, and virtualized cloud-first configurations are all essential components of 5G infrastructure. However, they also represent important threats with the potential to compromise network security," wrote Beveridge.
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How to improve 5G security
As with any new piece of technology, small business owners should update their cybersecurity measures and employee training to address the realities of 5G.
Start by securing your 5G devices. As 5G enables more IoT connections, ensure all devices have strong authentication, are regularly updated, and follow security best practices.
"Ensure all devices connected to the 5G network are regularly updated to patch known vulnerabilities … Implement multifactor authentication for accessing the network," Alan Jones, a marketing manager at D-Link, told Business Insider.
It's also important to consider how your security policies should evolve as you add IoT devices. A recent survey reported that over 60% of enterprises have deployed IoT, yet 15% haven't updated their policies to take a "security-first strategy." A zero-trust policy that assumes every connection and endpoint is a threat can help.
Education also plays a big role in 5G security. Educate your team on 5G security risks and the best practices for safe usage of connected devices and networks. Consider working with managed service providers or security vendors specializing in 5G security to ensure proper protection of your 5G network. Last, evaluate the security practices of 5G equipment vendors and service providers to minimize supply chain risk.
5G promises to deliver exciting benefits, but it also introduces new threats. Prepare your business for 5G security early and often to ensure you don't inadvertently create new vulnerabilities for hackers to exploit.
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