Every arrival of a new mobile generation is usually accompanied by news related to security that it can provide us, if there are improvements with previous generations and what are the main differences. What we expect from a new generation like 5G is that it far surpasses all the previous ones in all aspects, but this is not always the case.
With the fifth generation mobile network, an improvement in terms of speed and latency is expected that could completely change the use we give to our devices connected to the network. From 1G to the future 6G, one of the aspects that has been improving is energy consumption, which over the years has helped extend the autonomy of the batteries of our mobile devices.
5G is not always safer
Wireless networks like 5G make it increasingly difficult to track and fool users, but security holes remain because our devices still connect to older networks like 4G. Until the complete implementation of 5G there will be a period in which 4G and 5G coexist until all devices are capable of working with a 5G network. According to the researchers, faster speed connections increase security and privacy protections for users, so everything points to 5G being more secure than 4G.
Regarding the security that 5G can provide us, it stands out that this new mobile network has anti-tracking and identity theft characteristics that make it more difficult for cybercriminals to track a network and manipulate connections of individual devices. 5G has the ability to encrypt more data which also makes it difficult for anyone to access our personal or banking data. Now, until its full implementation and depending on the mobile device we have, we will not be able to access all the 5G security options. Some researchers have pointed out that some 5G defects allow “degradation” attacks in which the telephone connection of a user who is connected to a 4G network or lower can be manipulated where attackers could use unresolved defects of said networks to carry out the attack.
5G security concerns
The reality is that 5G cybersecurity still needs some improvements to prevent security conditions from being compromised when we connect to this network. Some concerns come from the network itself and others have to do with the devices that connect to 5G. Both aspects put the personal data of people, prisoners or governments at risk.
Pre-5G networks have fewer hardware traffic touchpoints, which has made security controls easier. The dynamic systems on which the 5G software is based contain many more traffic routing points. For optimal safety, all of these points will need supervision. For now, the higher bandwidth 5G offers will also put current security monitoring to the test. Today’s networks are limited in speed and capacity, which has helped providers monitor security in real time. Therefore, the speed increase that 5G promises would have to be accompanied by new methods to stop possible threats.
On the other hand, not all device manufacturers prioritize cybersecurity. Many high-end smart devices have security gaps. The increase in devices connected to the same network can be the cause of security breaches, due to the lack of standards for IoT devices. Aspects that show that manufacturers need incentives to increase the security of new devices. Having an antivirus installed, using a VPN or implementing security for your passwords are solutions that users themselves can do to prevent anyone from accessing our most confidential data.
