What Is 5G Security?
5G security refers to the combined efforts to protect the underlying 5G network infrastructure, the traffic traversing it, and the users of the network. This includes both physical and cyber protection for the hardware and software components of the network.
Because 5G expands network speeds, device capacity, and connectivity for new use cases such as autonomous vehicles and the internet of things (IoT), the security requirements become more complex and critical than in earlier wireless generations. Security frameworks within 5G aim to protect user privacy, data integrity, and the reliability of critical services operating on the network.
The architecture of 5G introduces numerous innovations, such as network slicing, virtualization, and software-defined networking, each carrying distinct security implications. On the one hand, these features enable more advanced security capabilities than in previous generations. On the other hand, they create new risks and vulnerabilities that require specialized defenses.
Key aspects of 5G security include:
- Resilience: The ability of the network to withstand and recover from attacks.
- Communication security: Protecting the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted over the network.
- Identity management: Securely verifying the identity of users and devices accessing the network.
- Privacy: Protecting user data and ensuring privacy is maintained throughout the network.
- Security assurance: Demonstrating that the 5G system meets established security standards.
- Mobile protocol-level security: Protecting signaling protocols like NAS and RRC from exploitation by enforcing stronger encryption and integrity algorithms.
- Cloud infrastructure security: Securing the virtualized and cloud-native elements of 5G, including containers, orchestration platforms, and APIs.
- Network traffic encryption: Applying advanced encryption to protect users and control plane data across the network.
Benefits of 5G security include:
- Enhanced subscriber privacy: 5G security measures, like the Subscriber Concealed Identity (SUCI) which encrypts subscriber IDs, help protect users' identities and locations.
- Improved user traffic integrity protection: Ensures that data transmitted over 5G networks cannot be intercepted or modified over the air.
- Secure roaming interfaces and payload security: Protocols like the Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) enhance security during roaming.
- Mutual authentication and encryption of key interfaces: Provides strong verification of network entities and devices.
- Increased resilience against attacks: Network slicing and advanced threat detection systems contribute to a more robust network.
- Support for secure IoT ecosystems: 5G's scalability and security features make it suitable for securing a vast network of interconnected IoT devices.
- Network slicing with specific security policies for each slice: Enables isolation and custom security controls for different network slices, reducing the risk of cross-slice attacks.
- Native support for software-defined networking: Provides centralized management and dynamic security enforcement, improving adaptability to emerging threats.
This is part of a series of articles about application security.
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5G security brings substantial improvements over previous generations, providing stronger defenses for increasingly complex network environments:
- Support for secure IoT ecosystems: Enhanced subscriber privacy: By encrypting user identifiers and minimizing exposure during network access, 5G reduces the risk of tracking and impersonation attacks.
- Mutual authentication and encryption of key interfaces: 5G networks support mutual authentication between the device and the network, ensuring that both parties are verified before communication begins. This helps prevent rogue base station attacks and unauthorized network access.
- Improved user traffic integrity protection: 5G employs stronger encryption algorithms and separates encryption keys for different parts of the communication process. This makes it more difficult for attackers to intercept or tamper with sensitive data.
- Secure roaming interfaces and payload security: Roaming traffic in 5G networks is protected by SEPP, which encrypts and authenticates inter-operator signaling messages. This prevents man-in-the-middle attacks and unauthorized access during cross-network communications, enhancing the security of global connectivity.
- Increased resilience against attacks: 5G's architecture supports dynamic threat detection and automated mitigation using AI-driven analytics. Features like network slicing isolation and continuous monitoring strengthen the network's ability to contain and recover from cyberattacks with minimal service disruption.
- Network slicing with specific security policies for each slice: This makes it possible to tailor security policies tailored to specific applications or services. This allows for isolation between services—such as public safety, industrial control systems, or consumer mobile data.
- Native support for software-defined networking: Enhances visibility and control across the network. Security policies can be dynamically applied and adjusted, enabling rapid response to threats and facilitating automated security management at scale.
The deployment of 5G networks introduces a broader and more complex attack surface due to the scale of device connectivity and the shift toward cloud-based infrastructure. With the ability to support millions of devices per square kilometer, a single compromised endpoint—such as an IoT sensor—can become an entry point for widespread disruption across interconnected systems.
Here are some of the primary cybersecurity threats against 5G networks:
- Expanded attack surface: The sheer number of connected devices, combined with virtualization and distributed edge computing, exposes more potential entry points for attackers. Each additional endpoint or API increases the risk of compromise if not adequately secured and monitored.
- Vulnerabilities in edge computing: Network slicing vulnerabilities: Each virtual slice must be securely segmented to prevent lateral movement between slices. If isolation mechanisms fail, attackers may gain access to sensitive services or data streams across slices intended for separate users or industries.
- Supply chain risks: 5G relies on globally sourced hardware and software, increasing the chances of malicious code or backdoors being introduced during development or distribution. A compromised component anywhere in the chain can threaten the integrity of the entire network.
- Data privacy concerns: The volume and sensitivity of data being exchanged in real time—including personal, financial, and health information—require stronger controls. Without proper safeguards, unauthorized access or breaches could lead to identity theft, financial loss, or reputational damage.
- Threats to critical infrastructure: A targeted breach against systems like energy grids, hospitals, or transportation networks could result in public safety incidents, operational paralysis, or national security threats. As such, securing 5G is not only a technical challenge but also a matter of public interest and strategic resilience.
- Lack of visibility and security controls: With 5G's highly distributed architecture, monitoring all network layers and endpoints becomes challenging. Traditional security tools may not provide full visibility, making it harder to detect anomalies or enforce consistent policies across slices and edge environments.
- Side-channel attacks: Adversaries can exploit indirect indicators, like timing or resource usage, to extract sensitive data from shared infrastructure. These attacks are particularly relevant in multi-tenant cloud environments where hardware resources are shared across different network functions.
- Legacy infrastructure vulnerabilities: 5G networks often depend on integration with legacy 4G LTE systems, inheriting older vulnerabilities like weak signaling protocols or insecure interfaces. These weaknesses can be exploited to bypass newer 5G protections or launch downgrade attacks.
Securing 5G networks is a shared responsibility among multiple stakeholders, each with distinct roles in maintaining a secure ecosystem.
- Service providers and mobile network operators (MNOs) are central players. They are responsible for implementing security measures across the core network, radio access network, and service interfaces. This includes enforcing encryption, access control, and monitoring for anomalies. MNOs must also manage secure deployment and maintenance of network slices tailored to different use cases.
- Vendors and manufacturers design and manufacture the hardware and software that make up the 5G infrastructure. They are expected to follow secure development practices, provide regular patches, and undergo independent security assessments. Vendors must ensure that their products support critical features like secure boot, runtime protection, and tamper resistance.
- Governments and regulatory bodies:
- Regulators and standards bodies, such as 3GPP, ITU, and national cybersecurity agencies, define baseline security requirements and best practices. They establish compliance frameworks and certification schemes that guide secure 5G deployments and hold parties accountable for violations or negligence.
- Enterprises and service providers that use private 5G networks or network slices have their own responsibilities. These include securing edge devices, managing identity and access controls, and integrating 5G security measures with broader organizational policies.
- Individual end users play a supporting role by updating their devices, following security best practices, and reporting suspicious activity. The success of 5G security depends on coordinated efforts across this ecosystem to address evolving threats and maintain trust in next-generation mobile networks.
Related content: Read our guide to mobile application security.
Resilience
5G networks are designed with built-in resilience mechanisms to detect, absorb, and recover from cyberattacks and operational failures. Features such as distributed network architectures, redundant paths, and automated failover allow services to remain operational even during targeted attacks on core components. Network slicing also contributes to resilience by isolating critical services from potential disruptions affecting other slices.
To strengthen resilience, 5G employs real-time monitoring and AI-driven threat detection that can identify anomalous behavior before it escalates into a full-scale incident. Combined with automated mitigation systems, these capabilities help maintain service continuity and minimize downtime during attacks or system failures.
Communication Security
Communication security in 5G focuses on protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity of data transmitted over the network. Advanced encryption algorithms like 256-bit AES are used to secure both user and signaling data, ensuring that intercepted traffic cannot be deciphered or modified by unauthorized parties.
In addition to stronger encryption, 5G introduces robust integrity protection for critical signaling protocols, making it harder for attackers to manipulate or spoof control messages. These measures are particularly important for securing machine-to-machine communications and IoT traffic, which are expected to dominate 5G networks.
Identity Management
Identity management in 5G ensures that only authorized users and devices can access network resources. Enhanced authentication mechanisms, including mutual authentication between user equipment and the network, prevent impersonation and unauthorized access. The use of concealed subscriber identifiers (SUCI) protects user identities from exposure, mitigating IMSI-catching attacks common in earlier generations.
5G also supports fine-grained access control for devices and applications. This allows network operators to assign specific privileges based on user roles, device types, or service requirements, reducing the risk of insider threats or lateral movement within the network.
Privacy
Privacy protection is a central element of 5G security. By default, 5G encrypts identifiers and sensitive signaling information to prevent tracking of users as they move across networks. This includes measures like temporary identifiers and frequent key updates, which limit the ability of attackers to correlate sessions over time.
To further increase privacy, 5G architectures isolate user data from management traffic and implement strict data minimization practices. These safeguards are critical in an ecosystem where personal, financial, and health-related data may be transmitted in real time.
Security Assurance
Security assurance involves demonstrating that the 5G system meets defined security standards and is resistant to known attack vectors. Compliance frameworks like 3GPP's Security Assurance Specifications (SCAS) guide vendors and operators in validating the security of network functions, protocols, and hardware components.
Continuous assurance is also critical in 5G due to its reliance on software updates and virtualization. Regular penetration testing, third-party audits, and supply chain risk assessments help maintain trust in the network as new features and services are deployed.
Mobile Protocol-Level Security
5G introduces stronger authentication and encryption protocols compared to previous generations, making direct attacks on mobile signaling protocols more difficult. However, attackers are increasingly bypassing these protections by exploiting weaknesses in the underlying systems running the 5G protocol stack.
Side-channel attacks are a key example. Instead of targeting the encrypted data or control signals directly, attackers analyze indirect system behavior—such as timing, power consumption, or shared hardware resources—to extract sensitive information or manipulate operations.
Cloud Infrastructure Security
Unlike legacy telco infrastructure, cloud-based components are more susceptible to misconfigurations, privilege escalation, and software supply chain risks. Attackers no longer need to target physical network elements; instead, they can exploit common vulnerabilities in application-level technologies.
A vulnerable API, outdated container image, or insecure configuration in a cloud orchestration platform could serve as an entry point into the core of a 5G network. Additionally, side-channel attacks become more viable when compute resources are shared among tenants in multi-cloud environments.
To mitigate these risks, private 5G networks must adopt cloud security practices proven in enterprise IT. This includes implementing strict access controls, maintaining continuous visibility into resource configurations, performing automated compliance checks, and isolating workloads with fine-grained segmentation policies.
Network Traffic Encryption
5G networks handle exponentially more traffic than previous generations, driven by the rise in connected devices, machine-to-machine communication, and data-rich applications. Much of this traffic is encrypted, which is vital for protecting privacy and preventing interception.
However, encryption alone does not guarantee safety. Malicious actors can leverage encrypted channels to conceal attacks, such as distributing encrypted malware or conducting covert command-and-control operations that evade traditional security filters.
In enterprise environments, 5G often replaces Wi-Fi for internal communication, with assumptions about encryption providing inherent protection. However, if endpoint devices are compromised—through a network-layer exploit or malicious firmware—they can join the encrypted network and operate under the radar. This is particularly dangerous in IoT-heavy environments where security is often weaker at the device level.
Embed Security in Policy and Standards Development
Security must be prioritized from the outset of 5G standards development. Policies and technical specifications should be designed with resilience as a central requirement, not added reactively. CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) supports active participation in global standards bodies such as 3GPP and the International Telecommunication Union, and promotes collaboration with trusted market leaders to counter the influence of adversarial contributors.
CISA also engages international partners to align 5G security policies globally. This includes raising awareness of the risks tied to untrusted vendors and encouraging frameworks that ensure interoperability, transparency, and trust in 5G systems and equipment.
To coordinate messaging and input across multiple efforts, internal working groups within government agencies help unify participation in technical standards meetings, enabling streamlined and consistent contributions that prioritize security.
Strengthen 5G Supply Chain Risk Management
The integrity of the 5G supply chain is a critical area of concern. Components from untrusted vendors, even if used indirectly, can introduce vulnerabilities into otherwise secure systems. CISA works with supply chain risk management groups like the ICT SCRM Task Force and the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) to identify and assess these risks.
One priority is the creation of a common risk evaluation framework to communicate threats across the public and private sectors. This includes defining severity and impact criteria, identifying high-risk vendors, and disseminating actionable guidance.
CISA also produces outreach materials tailored to specific critical infrastructure sectors. These materials help stakeholders implement repeatable supply chain security processes and understand where risks may be introduced, whether through manufacturing, integration, or distribution channels.
Secure Existing Infrastructure and Support Migration to 5G
Initial 5G rollouts often operate in hybrid mode with existing 4G LTE infrastructure. This creates the potential for downgrade attacks or the exploitation of legacy vulnerabilities that persist in the shared environment. Ensuring that these inherited weaknesses are identified and addressed is essential before transitioning to standalone 5G networks.
To support this, CISA collaborates with research institutions and national laboratories to evaluate key 5G components, such as handsets and radio access networks. These assessments are used to develop technical recommendations for both private and public sector stakeholders.
CISA also conducts direct engagements with state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments to promote 5G security practices and help build institutional awareness. Workshops, meetings, and regional initiatives such as the Rural Engagement Initiative, are used to address security considerations specific to smaller network operators and underserved communities.
Promote Trusted Vendors and Drive Secure Innovation
The dominance of untrusted vendors in the global 5G ecosystem increases the risk of embedded vulnerabilities and foreign interference. To counter this, CISA supports U.S.-based R&D efforts that expand the availability of trusted 5G technologies. These include projects in open networking (e.g., Open RAN), intrusion detection for virtualized network functions, and secure network slicing.
CISA also analyzes the long-term economic and security costs of procuring from untrusted vendors. While some components may offer lower up-front pricing, they often result in greater lifecycle costs due to patching, incompatibility, and operational risk.
To stimulate innovation, CISA partners with U.S. Government prize competitions, such as the DHS InnoPrize Program, to fund projects that close critical security gaps in 5G deployments. These programs are designed to bridge the gap between early-stage research and commercial adoption of secure technologies.
Evaluate Use Cases and Share Risk Management Strategies
As 5G enables a broader set of mission-critical applications—like telemedicine, industrial automation, and connected transportation—understanding the associated risks is essential. CISA identifies and evaluates use cases in both real-world and simulated environments to pinpoint vulnerabilities and assess system resilience.
Based on these evaluations, CISA develops technical assistance offerings tailored to different stakeholder needs. These may include training programs, deployment playbooks, and onsite support designed to help organizations build secure and reliable 5G infrastructure.
Finally, with billions of IoT devices expected to connect via 5G, CISA works with industry to analyze risks specific to connected endpoints. Using this input, CISA develops guidance that promotes secure design, improves device-level security hygiene, and supports risk-aware deployment across sectors such as health care, transportation, and smart cities.
5G Security with Radware
Radware protects 5G networks through an array of solutions:
DefensePro X
Radware's DefensePro X is an advanced DDoS protection solution that provides real-time, automated mitigation against high-volume, encrypted, and zero-day attacks. It leverages behavioral-based detection algorithms to accurately distinguish between legitimate and malicious traffic, enabling proactive defense without manual intervention. The system can autonomously detect and mitigate unknown threats within 18 seconds, ensuring rapid response to evolving cyber threats. With mitigation capacities ranging from 6 Gbps to 800 Gbps, DefensePro X is built for scalability, making it suitable for enterprises and service providers facing massive attack volumes. It protects against IoT-driven botnets, burst attacks, DNS and TLS/SSL floods, and ransom DDoS campaigns. The solution also offers seamless integration with Radware's Cloud DDoS Protection Service, providing flexible deployment options. Featuring advanced security dashboards for enhanced visibility, DefensePro X ensures comprehensive network protection while minimizing operational overhead.
DefenseFlow
Radware's DefenseFlow is an SDN-native, network-wide cyber control and orchestration solution designed to deliver automated, scalable DDoS protection across hybrid, cloud, and service provider environments. It integrates seamlessly with behavioral detection engines and SDN/OpenFlow networks to detect and mitigate multi-vector cyberattacks in real time. Using machine-driven workflows, DefenseFlow dynamically diverts malicious traffic to mitigation devices like DefensePro, automating detection, diversion, and response without manual intervention. Its centralized architecture provides full network visibility and policy control, enabling consistent and intelligent attack management across distributed environments. Supporting both always-on and on-demand protection models, DefenseFlow empowers organizations to deliver built-in, low-latency DDoS mitigation as a network service—improving uptime, scalability, and operational efficiency.
Cloud WAF
Radware's Cloud WAF service is part of our Cloud Application Protection Service, which includes WAF, API protection, Bot Management, Layer-7 DDoS protection, and Client-Side Protection. The service analyzes web applications to identify potential threats and automatically generates granular protection rules to mitigate them. It utilizes advanced threat intelligence to identify and respond to emerging threats, ensuring robust defense against vulnerabilities. Key features include device fingerprinting to detect bot attacks, AI-powered API discovery and protection to prevent API abuse, full coverage of OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities, and data leak prevention to block the transmission of sensitive data. Radware Cloud WAF is NSS recommended, ICSA Labs certified, and PCI-DSS compliant, making it a trusted solution for comprehensive application security.
Cyber Controller
Radware's Cyber Controller is a centralized management platform designed to optimize application delivery and security. It simplifies the deployment and management of Radware's solutions across hybrid environments by offering advanced analytics, automation, and integration capabilities. Key features include unified visibility across application infrastructures, automated policy configuration, and seamless orchestration of security measures, ensuring efficient operations and robust protection against evolving threats. The platform's ability to adapt dynamically to changing workloads and threats makes it a valuable asset for enterprises aiming to maintain operational continuity and secure application delivery.
Cloud Application Protection Services
Radware's Cloud Application Protection Service provides a unified solution for comprehensive web application and API protection, bot management, client-side protection, and application-level DDoS protection. Leveraging Radware SecurePath™, an innovative API-based cloud architecture, it ensures consistent, top-grade security across any cloud environment with centralized visibility and management. This service protects digital assets and customer data across on-premise, virtual, private, public, and hybrid cloud environments, including Kubernetes. It addresses over 150 known attack vectors, including the OWASP Top 10 Web Application Security Risks, Top 10 API Security Vulnerabilities, and Top 21 Automated Threats to Web Applications. The solution employs a unique positive security model and machine-learning analysis to reduce exposure to zero-day attacks by 99%. Additionally, it distinguishes between “good” and “bad” bots, optimizing bot management policies to enhance user experience and ROI. Radware's service also ensures reduced latency, no route changes, and no SSL certificate sharing, providing increased uptime and seamless protection as businesses grow and evolve.
Cloud Native Protector
Radware's Cloud Native Protector delivers multi-layered security for workloads and application infrastructure hosted in public cloud environments. It uses advanced analytics and machine learning to detect and prevent risks such as accidental exposure, misconfigurations, and malicious activity. The solution provides full visibility into cloud environments, enabling organizations to monitor and protect assets across multiple public cloud providers. Key features include real-time detection of anomalies, contextual risk analysis to prioritize threats, automated enforcement of security policies, and compliance reporting for standards like SOC 2 and GDPR. With its proactive approach, Cloud Native Protector ensures robust protection for dynamic, cloud-native environments.
Kubernetes WAAP
Kubernetes WAAP (Web Application and API Protection) from Radware is specifically designed to secure microservices and containerized applications orchestrated by Kubernetes. It provides comprehensive protection by integrating web application security, API security, and bot management, all tailored for cloud-native environments. The solution features dynamic threat intelligence, automated policy enforcement, and real-time monitoring to defend against sophisticated threats like API abuse, application-layer DDoS attacks, and bot-driven exploits. It ensures consistent protection across distributed microservices while supporting DevOps workflows with seamless CI/CD integration. Radware Kubernetes WAAP is a next-generation solution that enhances both security and agility for Kubernetes-based deployments.
To learn more, contact us at https://www.radware.com/contactus/.