The introduction of 5G technology has forever changed how we communicate with each other. With this modern solution, we can transfer large amounts of data instantly without worrying about download speeds or lag. As such, 5G now serves as a basis for autonomous cars, sophisticated medical equipment, and large-scale manufacturing.
Although most experts focus on lower latency and higher speeds, perhaps the biggest change came with advanced security measures. In particular, Security Edge Protection Proxy has forever revolutionized roaming traffic between telcos. We also shouldn’t neglect service-based architecture that allows businesses to proactively avoid the biggest threats.
In this article, we will first explain the traditional signaling security models, after which, we will go through some of the advantages 5G signaling has over them. By the time you finish reading the post, you should have a better understanding of what makes this new security measure so advanced.
Traditional Signaling Security Models
The oldest telecommunications networks handled signaling using the SS7 protocol. Back in the day, tech companies and operators believed there was an inherent trust between parties, so there was no need for advanced security measures. Unfortunately, as time has shown, SS7 was very vulnerable to message manipulation, call interception, and user location tracking.
As 4G emerged, software companies managed to patch some of SS7’s issues, specifically the lack of authentication and encryption. The new Diameter protocol was a similarly centralized solution, but it was much better prepared for the challenges of the era.
After a while, it turned out that Diameter suffered from some other issues, allowing attackers to use overloads, signaling storms, and interconnection attacks to damage telcos. The only way to address some of these problems is with a security technology that trusts no one and has a proactive, limiting stance toward incoming traffic.
Modern 5G Signaling
The biggest difference between legacy signaling and 5G solutions is the introduction of a service-based architecture. This time around, network functions operate through APIs by relying on HTTP/2. Signaling is now an integral part of the control plane, relying on web-based communication principles.
One of the major breakthroughs came with the Service Communication Proxy, which serves as a mediation point and central routing for incoming traffic. In terms of security, SEPP introduces a zero-trust approach, where every interaction with the network is scrutinized. The system presumes that everyone is a threat until proven otherwise, performing additional checks to maintain integrity.
Security Improvements Within 5G Network
The new signaling model has brought several major security improvements that can protect the network against modern threats. 5G uses encryption for most of its operations and relies on TLS to prevent call interceptions.
Through a process of mutual authentication, network functions authenticate each other. This process establishes a secure foundation before any message exchange, minimizing the risk of impersonation.
Another important procedure is traffic isolation, which differentiates between operations, traffic, signaling, and data, a vital step in reducing cross-domain risks. With granular control, operators can decide which functions can interact with each other, limiting exposure and reducing the risk of abuse. All these measures enhance 5G’s resilience against ever-evolving threats.
The Biggest Challenges 5G Faces
Although 5G is the most sophisticated networking technology by far, it does come with its fair share of flaws. These are some of the biggest challenges that operators have to tackle on a daily basis:
- Expanded Attack Surface via APIs
Many potential exploitations are directly caused by reliance on APIs. As an integral part of a network’s architecture, APIs allow communication between different functions. Unfortunately, because the entire system relies on them, this increases the attack surface, making things easier for attackers. We also need to mention inadequate API security measures that create entry points for hackers.
- Massive Scale of IoT and Machine-Type Communications
The majority of modern devices have smart functions and are constantly connected to the Internet. While 5G can support increased traffic, the scale of machine-type communication changes the playing field for everyone. A large volume of traffic drains a network’s resources, resulting in lower performance. As the network becomes more strained, the risk of overloads and signal storms increases.
- Complexity of Secure Communication Orchestration
Due to a large number of interdependent functions, networks must introduce highly coordinated procedures. The need for distributed and virtualized components requires smooth orchestration to secure communication. Ultimately, 5G networks require various orchestration tools, advanced automation, and continuous monitoring to operate at their peak.
- Interoperability Concerns in Global Roaming
Each operator can introduce a unique set of security policies. While this benefits individual businesses, it makes global roaming that much more convoluted. Interoperability challenges are commonplace, with operators having to worry about different enforcement practices and standards that can weaken overall security. As such, telcos must introduce secure and seamless roaming, which can be quite tricky given the sheer number of global operators.
Implications for Telcos
Operators have to adapt to newfound technological situations. More specifically, they must adopt zero trust policies, given that this is the only way to insulate your network from modern threats. Every action has to be authenticated, verified, and monitored in an attempt to avoid common abuses.
Given that 5G networks are meant to direct large quantities of traffic, telcos can no longer rely on manual workflows. They must introduce automated solutions to simplify daily procedures, allocate resources, and predict incoming threats. Real-time visibility, in particular, has become essential for security, allowing operators to detect anomalies, prevent overload, and mitigate signaling storms.
Besides introducing new technology into their workflows, companies must improve collaboration with foreign partners. International roaming now requires standardized security practices, combining automation and analytics to enhance resilience.
The Future of 5G Signaling
The new 5G technology allows operators to significantly improve their services. While its incredible speed, unparalleled scaling, and enormous flexibility offer benefits we haven’t seen before, modern networks still suffer from numerous security vulnerabilities that operators must preemptively address.
