AdaptiveMobile Security has announced what it claims is the first unified 5G network security solution – combining cybersecurity capabilities that operate in unison to secure 5G networks, slices, vertical APIs and subscribers.
AdaptiveMobile Security’s new 5G network security offering provides:
- Enhanced Security Edge Protection Proxy (eSEPP) to secure both interconnected network and other network infrastructure in a mixed 4G/5G network deployment
- Enhanced Service Communication Proxy (eSCP) to enforce security zones inside the core network
- AdaptiveMobile Security Vertical API Protector, which secures the Northbound interface by verifying signalling and control communications in order to protect 5G network APIs from threat actors.
“As it currently stands, we do not appear to have learned the security lessons from 3G and 4G. Security in 5G networks is not built-in as promised and major vulnerabilities have been exposed even before the technology has been deployed.”
Brian Collins, CEO AdaptiveMobile Security says that both nation states and cybercriminals will take advantage of any security gaps in mobile networks and have access to the tools and techniques known to be effective at exploiting the IT protocols on which 5G architectures are built. He argues that 5G network security is “an order of magnitude more complex” than for any previous mobile technology as the attack surface is bigger, telecom and internet protocols are converging, and attack tools are more widely available.
Collins says this means 5G networks must be secured at the interconnects with external networks and systems in order to prevent attackers using perceived ‘trusted’ networks to execute attacks against an operator’s 5G infrastructure. The networks need to be protected internally, he says, from rogue slices compromised by threat actors, while new application APIs exposed by 5G networks must be secured to avoid the creation of new attack vectors.
Dr Silke Holtmanns, Head of 5G Security Research, AdaptiveMobile Security says that 5G requires a “mind-set change”. She advocates that the telecoms industry needs to take a holistic and collaborative approach to network security involving standards bodies, working groups, operators and vendors. “This new unified approach to 5G network security will be critical in protecting operators’ networks, enterprise customer and subscribers from new and emerging cybersecurity threats,” she says.
AdaptiveMobile Security was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Dublin, with offices in North America, Europe, South Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. It provides its service provider customers with advanced threat detection, response, and actionable intelligence, combined with a comprehensive security products to help them predict and protect against multiprotocol mobile security attacks. Its 5G network security solution is designed to proactively defend against known sources of signalling attacks, so mobile operators can understand, predict and protect themselves against attacks.