The rollout of 5G networks has been alarmingly slow. It was launched as a concept in 2016, but didn't launch globally until 2019. Four years later, the number of people with a 5G device is still low in most countries.

It's uncertain whether affordability, a lack of necessity, or the spread of serious misinformation about it is behind the slow adoption. One understandable criticism of 5G, however, is the potential cybersecurity risks faced by users.

The following guidelines will outline the 5G network security risks that users must be aware of in 2023 and how to protect against them.

The potential of 5G

When it comes to 5G networks, experts are extolling the benefits of high speed and low latency and all the use cases it can be applied to. Another significant advantage is that 5G consumes power more optimally than its predecessors and offers higher data capacities.

All of these capabilities have the potential to allow IoT devices to connect on an unprecedented scale. This enables more homes and consumers to use faster smart devices, allowing for more smart buildings such as smart homes, campuses and cities.

However, 5G networks are complex. They are designed to handle large volumes of data of different types and therefore must be managed using complex software.

Designers of 5G networks have recognized that the most efficient way to automatically scale and properly handle 5G loads is through artificial intelligence and machine learning models. Unfortunately, this approach introduces a new attack surface for bad actors.

The Attack Surface of 5G Networks

The complex software that manages 5G networks risks becoming a cybersecurity blind spot. It can be the main entry point for many bad actors. They could try to infiltrate 5G's software to hijack and manipulate the network, though that's not the only type of vulnerability or attack that consumers and carriers should be concerned about.

Because of the way 5G networks are built and operated, they will be harder to secure than previous networks. They have a greater attack surface and can be exploited in the following ways:

data poisoning

Machine learning algorithms allow computer systems to recognize patterns, enabling them to make autonomous decisions and predictions based on the information provided. The use of machine learning technology has been growing rapidly, and the market size of the industry is expected to grow nearly tenfold over the next seven years. Most models are developed using example data (also known as training data), which can be "poisoned" by cybercriminals.

Data poisoning is a form of adversarial machine learning, where malicious actors try to force machine learning or artificial intelligence systems to make mistakes. By introducing corrupted or inaccurate training data, they can create security blind spots that allow them to evade detection and fly under the radar.

To prevent data poisoning in machine learning models, organizations can use outlier detection techniques including input validation, rate limiting, regression testing, manual throttling, and statistical techniques.

man-in-the-middle attack

One of the biggest advantages of 5G frequencies is that they can contain greater bandwidth than previous standards. But that capability often comes at the cost of coverage, as data travels shorter distances in 5G networks than in 4G or 3G networks.

Network providers typically work around this limitation by installing small cells and femtocells (nodes) at different locations within a single coverage area. For example, this could be a lamp post or the side of a building.

Unfortunately, the installation of these nodes increases the number of potential attack surfaces for malicious actors. If cybercriminals were to compromise any of these small units, they could perform so-called man-in-the-middle attacks, allowing them to access network traffic and manipulate data movement.

Unfortunately, many operators do not secure these devices, so they remain one of the biggest 5G cybersecurity risks in 2023. Network providers must encrypt these nodes and the data traffic passing through them. This is the only reliable way to combat bad actors attempting to launch man-in-the-middle attacks.

Exploiting Connected Device Vulnerabilities

With the influx of cheap IoT devices, many were not designed or built with security in mind. We've already seen how low-end smart devices expose consumers to cybersecurity threats, and they could also compromise 5G networks.

As more people adopt IoT technology, it will create more points of entry and make it harder to trace the origin of threat vectors. Much of the onus for mitigating these types of attacks falls on the shoulders of consumers.

Reducing the Risks of 5G Devices

Often, device users tend to procrastinate when it comes to updating their device software. These updates typically feature security updates that help manufacturers protect devices and patch them against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Therefore, we strongly advise consumers to ensure their 5G-connected devices are up to date.

It's also a good idea to add an antivirus or firewall to your device's security stack. Also, and more importantly, consumers are encouraged to buy from certified suppliers, brands and manufacturers. While they can be a bit pricey, this practice increases the likelihood that your device of choice will be protected from the latest attacks.

If you run a business using 5G, you must ensure that your internal network and the software connecting to it are secure. For example, local medical practices, such as dental or optometry businesses, often rely on direct communication software to stay in touch with patients, but they must ensure that the services they use will keep patient data private.

One way dental offices can ensure patient and network security is by using dental software with security features like encryption and multi-factor authentication. Essentially, users must think of their devices as nodes in the 5G network. One compromised device can affect an entire network, so consumers need to stay informed and vigilant.

in conclusion

It's been nearly five years since 5G was released, but it's still a relatively new technology to most people. The vast majority of people in the world don't have 5G-capable devices, so it's hard to predict what holes will emerge when 5G adoption reaches critical mass. That said, data poisoning, man-in-the-middle attacks, and exploiting vulnerabilities in connected devices are some of the ways malicious actors are targeting 5G networks.

These potential threats should not deter consumers from taking advantage of the many benefits that this technology has to offer. However, as a consumer or 5G business user, you must always maintain proper network security hygiene to ensure you cover any operator blind spots.