Get Ready For The 5G World

Faster data transfer speeds present new avenues of data loss and breaches. Here are 5 essentials for managing cybersecurity in the hyper-connected world

- Surendra Singh

In India, 5G networks are expected to be launched by mid-2021. Telecom operators are gearing up for the launch by putting tools and technology pieces in place and likely to roll out 5G services as soon as the spectrum is available from the government.

The scope of 5G networks reaches beyond personal cellular communications into the enterprise data network. Though 5G represents a step-change in the evolution of data communication networks, it would also present a whole new set of security challenges. These security challenges do not arise because 5G technology is inherently insecure; they arise from the differentiators of 5G and the new opportunities it presents.

• 10X improvement in data transfer rates and low latency will place faster data transfer capabilities into the hands of employees.

• New use cases that would get mainstream because of 5G – smart cities, autonomous driving, smart healthcare, and smart homes mean that attackers have more access to personal data than ever.

• Increase in the overall attack surface area due to the rise in the internet of things (IoT) and edge computing. There will be broader attack surfaces, more devices, and greater traffic.

There are five aspects that businesses will need to keep in mind while planning their cybersecurity strategy in the world of 5G.

#1 Higher data speeds and low latency will translate into unprecedented speed for data theft

Data transfer rates on 5G are more than 10 times faster than 4G. From a security perspective, a more reliable connectivity and lower latency will work in favour of the attackers or determined employees wanting to send over large swathes of corporate data, while also enabling more interactive attacks.