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Tag: 5G mobile

  • Continuous Delivery: The Secret to 5G’s Success

    Continuous Delivery: The Secret to 5G’s Success

    New technologies are evolving the way societies function, and as a result, how businesses are carried out. In the networking industry, these emerging technologies coupled with the long-lasting impact of the past year–such as remote working–are changing the way customers and communication service providers (CSPs) interact. To that end, these shifts in behavior subsequently bring in a new demand for how communication services are delivered.

    Networking technologies have made some remarkable leaps in recent years. For example, system-on-a-chip advancements have elevated IoT devices to the next level. Moreover, edge computing, high-performance computing and a revolution in software, analytics and AI gave real-time local data processing a dramatic boost in its value proposition. But perhaps it is 5G that has brought forth some of the most astounding enhancements. 5G connectivity enables secure and reliable commercial and industrial operations–all of which can occur with zero latency and in real-time–that are driving the acceleration of OT/IT convergence and more.

    With every new generation of wireless networking, CSPs are bound to ask the burning question: What’s the “killer app” that will help bring in more customers and revenue? In the past, each generation found its answer in the evolution of mobile device usage. However, 5G has changed the game as we know it. Through 5G, CSPs can now tap into various new opportunities in previously inaccessible enterprise markets. Because of this, there is no single killer app that fits all verticals. For example, a 5G killer app in the transportation industry will look very different to one in the health care sector.

    So then, what is the killer app for 5G? To start, we should take a step back and recognize that for 5G, the killer app will be the network itself. This is because the network enables the rapid creation and launch of tailor-made 5G services to meet unique customer needs and use cases across different vertical markets. In the 5G era, the ability to bring new services with faster time-to-market while optimizing costs is the key to generating real business value.

    Achieving the flexibility and agility needed for 5G services will first require an established foundation. A critical step to build that foundation is establishing a cloud-native network core and adopting automation-driven continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) functions. That way, CSPs can begin to add real value to their networks.

    Why a 5G Cloud-Native Core is Mission-Critical

    Cloud automation isn’t just a buzzword, and it’s becoming increasingly important. With 4G, a cloud-native core may have been a preferred option, but for 5G services–which enables a range of applications and will continually need updated capabilities–a cloud-native design is mission-critical. Through a 5G cloud-native core, the possibilities are endless, as it enables services-based architecture, improved session management, end-to-end network slicing and access-agnostic connection for seamless mobility and more.

    5G networks with cloud-native cores will also continue to offer new communication features and services, of which automation will be a key enabler. This is where DevOps comes in. DevOps can improve automation to a greater extent, and help CSPs automate delivery, installation and testing. Thus, CSPs ought to embrace continuous delivery as the basis of DevOps, as DevOps automation becomes more cloud-centric. Today, many public and private cloud computing providers support cloud DevOps systems on their platforms, such as continuous integration and continuous development tools. When you consider connectivity services’ high complexity–with multi-vendor and multi-domain software supply chains and multiple production environments–an added level of process focused on delivery operations is crucial.

    Embracing Continuous Delivery to Harness 5G’s Power

    Continuous delivery may be a familiar concept to the cloud world, but it’s fairly new to the telecom industry. For CSPs, embracing continuous delivery in telecom networks requires the capability to meet the needs of distinctive environments and their associated challenges. One way CSPs can do that is by implementing a delivery operation (DelOps) solution: A reimagined DevOps. What makes DelOps ideal for telecom environments is its ability to leverage a many-to-many delivery and operations process–complete with design, deploy, test and operate phases.

    In the telecom industry, each network and operational environment is unique; therefore, solutions aren’t “one size fits all.” For CSPs, implementing the best DelOps CI/CD solution requires them to form the right partnerships with operators. That way, they can establish a CI/CD architecture that is flexible, complements their operational environment and can be integrated with any cloud architecture.

    With DelOps CI/CD solutions, seamless automation in delivery and operations can become a reality. It is the “secret sauce” to 5G success as it:

    • Leverages agile processes to reduce rollout cycle times and product/services time-to-market
    • Ensures the CSP’s network is up-to-date and launches new services efficiently and swiftly
    • Requires less effort to conduct acceptance testing, tracking and management of release features
    • Resolves issues rapidly to ensure seamless customer experience and satisfaction

    As the 5G era continues to grow and evolve, the adoption of CI/CD services by CSPs should be done sooner rather than later to achieve a smooth operational journey. In doing so, CSPs can evolve their networks to the best possible level of performance—ultimately boosting their competitiveness to generate new revenues and achieve long-term success.

  • Cellular Generations

    Cellular Generations

  • How 5G Mobile Networks Will Change IoT Security

    How 5G Mobile Networks Will Change IoT Security

    Depending on your location, you might have noticed a new 5G icon on your cell phone recently. The roll-out of the new 5G mobile network is largely a positive change for consumers and businesses. The fifth generation of cellular networks (hence 5G) purports to be one of the fastest wireless networks ever created.

    This technology claims to provide more efficient interconnectivity, and faster data transfers between people, objects and devices. All good things, right? But what security risks does 5G represent for the modern age?

    Some cybersecurity experts suggest that new vulnerabilities are versions of problems not entirely flushed out from 4G and even 3G networks. This article will attempt to explore some problems and opportunities that IoT security experts need to be aware of, and how savvy enterprises can be proactive about security in the age of 5G.

    Riding the 5G Wave

    A business’s potential is only as great as the technology they elect, as an organization, to adopt and use. One of the first benefits that 5G provides comes from the additional speed that the network provides. 4G posted average download speeds around 20Mbps. With a fully deployed and optimized 5G network, users should expect those download speeds to reach anywhere from 500 to 1,500Mbps. 

    Raw speed is one thing, being able to harness this type of efficiency is another. A Barclays’ poll recently reported that only around 28% of businesses understand 5G or the practical business applications the network offers. 

    Along with the challenges of leveraging the increased speed of the 5G network for business purposes, another important aspect of 5G education involves the security risks associated with faster technology. We suspect that if only 28% of businesses understand the practical applications of a 5G network, the awareness of potential security risks may be a similarly low figure.

    Getting Up to Speed on G Security

    While 5G touts a tighter grip on security, experts in the space will remind us that some of the concerning holes in the security of 4G, and even 3G, networks have been carried over into the rollout of 5G. Give credit where it’s due, the 5G security wins are associated with the encryption process which improves anti-tracking and spoofing features. This means that would-be criminals have a much harder time tracking and manipulating device connections.

    5G is also more software and cloud-focused than previous versions, which allows for better monitoring so threats can be spotted and mitigated more quickly. 

    While this is good for consumers, it’s not a perfect system by any means. “Stingray” devices can still be used to deploy fake base station attacks, which allow attackers to intercept mobile traffic and potentially manipulate data.

    Downgrade Attacks

    Purdue University and the University of Iowa outlined findings from design issues in the 5G protocol that exposed 11 vulnerabilities that may be exploited by bad actors. Five of these discovered vulnerabilities were carried over from 3G and 4G networks. Notably, a “downgrade attack” which essentially reverts the devices to use old mobile data networks. On top of potentially leading to higher wireless bills, this may allow attackers to track calls, texts or browsing habits on devices.

    If a device is forced to operate in a limited-service mode, an article in WIRED explains how IMSI numbers may also become exposed because of a downgrade attack.

    “One purported benefit of 5G is that it protects phone identifiers, like your device’s ‘international mobile subscriber identity,’ to help prevent tracking or targeted attacks,” stated WIRED. “But downgrade attacks like the ones the researchers found can bump your device down to 4G or put it into limited service mode, then force it to send its IMSI number unencrypted. Increasingly, networks use an alternative ID called a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity that refreshes periodically to stymie tracking.”

    Tips to Avoid Security Pitfalls in the Age of 5G

    In the age of the fastest speeds ever seen and nearly ubiquitous connectivity because of the rapid adoption of IoT devices, it’s becoming apparent that a zero trust model could help address security concerns with 5G and beyond. 

    This may require additional education to be available for employees, but an increase in security best practices for endpoint users is something that will benefit an organization tremendously. Zero-trust security models continually check the user’s presence and behavior within a network regardless of whether the user is human or machine. 

    It might seem like a great idea, but adopting the model isn’t a change to be taken lightly. A survey conducted by AT&T about 5G security indicated that just 33% of respondents reported they are currently using multi-factor authentication—the road to zero trust will take buy-in from executives and managers. 

    Sharing the Burden of Security

    The 5G rollout does provide built-in security features, but it should not be viewed as the Holy Grail. An organization will benefit from having a comprehensive security model, but that doesn’t mean they need to single-handedly oversee every aspect of that model. 

    5G is a combined effort that involves network operators and enterprises, and shared responsibility is essential for long-term success. Managed service providers should be considered by companies that may be short-staffed, or don’t have the in-house resources to cover other important areas of security, such as ransomware protection.

    Security within a business can’t exist in a silo, it’s a team sport—make sure you’re on the winning side.

    — Marty Puranik