5G security: Everything you should know for a secure network

5G network security risks and threats

5G security consists of protections and practices designed to defend the entire architecture of fifth-generation mobile networks, which encompasses infrastructure -- such as core networks, radio access networks (RANs) and edge computing -- connected devices, data traffic and the services that run on top of them. 5G networks rely heavily on virtualization, software-defined components, network slicing and cloud-native functions that increase flexibility and performance but also broaden the potential attack surface.

As 5G becomes the backbone of industries, infrastructure and everyday life -- connecting more devices, enabling critical applications like remote healthcare and smart grids -- it carries higher stakes. A breach can affect not just individual users but entire systems. At the same time, advanced features like network slicing and distributed edge nodes create new security challenges, such as difficulties in isolating network slices from each other, securing supply chains and managing vast numbers of IoT endpoints.

Here are some of the key risks and threats to take into account when securing a 5G network:

• Supply chain compromise. Malicious or faulty hardware, firmware and other components introduced through third-party vendors can compromise the network's integrity.
• Legacy infrastructure and backward compatibility risks. Dependence on older systems, such as 4G LTE, as fallbacks can reintroduce known vulnerabilities into the 5G environment.
• Expanded attack surface from IoT device connectivity. Having to support a huge number of connected devices -- many with weak security -- can leave entry points for malware, botnets and other hostile elements.
• Virtualization, cloud-native and software-defined infrastructure risks. 5G's use of software-defined networking, virtualized network functions, edge computing and APIs means misconfigurations, insecure containers and shared resources are more likely to pose threats.
• Network slicing and multi-tenant isolation vulnerabilities. Virtual "slices" of the network might not be completely isolated, so compromising one slice can compromise others.
• Denial-of-service and signaling-storm attacks. Because 5G networks carry a lot of device traffic and control signaling, DoS attacks designed to flood them with control messages and other traffic can disrupt the availability of critical services.
• Eavesdropping, traffic analysis and rogue base stations. Attackers might intercept or manipulate data, track users or exploit fake towers to degrade privacy or integrity.
• Inadequate monitoring and visibility in distributed edge environments. With more edge nodes, devices and distributed infrastructure, spotting threats and enforcing consistent security becomes harder.

5G security architecture

The 5G core network, which provides coordination between different parts of the RAN and connectivity to the internet, is a service-based architecture (SBA) built around cloud-based technologies that provides authentication, security and session management, as well as other functions and services.

The SBA decouples network functions into modular services and relies heavily on network functions virtualization, which virtualizes network services that were traditionally run on proprietary hardware. These are deployed using multi-access edge computing, a network architecture that puts cloud computing and storage capabilities at the edge of a network and close to its users.

Despite these changes, there's still a clear modular separation between the RAN, which provides wireless connectivity, and the security protocols of the 5G core.

However, because 5G now depends heavily on virtualized network functions, cloud-native infrastructure, multi-vendor environments and edge deployments, it cannot rely on legacy hardware-centric security assumptions alone. As a result, 5G networks support and require a broader set of security protocols, techniques and features to address the vastly expanded attack surface, the growing number of devices and use cases, and the complexity of modern deployments.

5G security features

The following 5G security improvements are among the most important.

Encryption

Stronger 256-bit cryptographic algorithms and separating security keys from the core network provide better data protection and aim to make communications sufficiently resistant to attacks by quantum computers.

Privacy

All data passing through 5G networks has confidentiality and integrity protection. Threats like international mobile subscriber identity catchers and temporary mobile subscriber identity catchers, which exploit the fact that 2G, 3G and 4G networks send a user's permanent or temporary identifier in plaintext during the device's initial contact with the network, won't be possible in 5G networks.

5G security specifications don't allow plaintext transmissions of the Subscription Permanent Identifier (SUPI). Instead of sending its true identity, a 5G device sends a privacy-preserving identifier containing the concealed SUPI. This Subscriber Concealed Identity ensures that a user's or device's identity and location are encrypted, which makes them impossible to identify or locate from the moment they join a network.

Also, 5G has an integrity check on the network control plane and adds an additional check on the user plane, which carries the network user traffic between the device and the RAN. This guarantees that messages between a device and the application on the user plane can't be intercepted and modified over the air.

Authentication and authorization

5G has an authentication protocol called 5G Authentication and Key Agreement to verify the identity of users, devices and network elements using asymmetric randomized encryption. Its Access and Mobility Management Function sends an authentication request to the Authentication Server Function, which forwards authentication requests to the Unified Data Management, which then decides on the appropriate authentication method depending on the subscriber profile. It supports pre-shared keys, certificates and tokens, whereas 4G requires a physical SIM card, which isn't practical for simple IoT devices that rely on an embedded SIM.

Roaming security

All communications between core network nodes employ the same set of protocols protected by the same security controls, reducing the number of security processes, while the Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) implements end-to-end security protection for source and destination network traffic. SEPP replaces Signaling System 7 and Diameter used in 3G and 4G networks.

Reliability

Network slicing, which is similar to traditional network segmentation, enables different segments to have customized security controls for specific use cases. Also, in the event of an incident, traffic can be quickly blocked or quarantined if it's on a separate network slice.

5G security benefits

5G introduces much-needed improvements to 4G network security with more frequent authentication and integrity checks. The fact that data can be transferred at high speed, with strong encryption complemented by authentication, means smart automation, better critical infrastructure monitoring and smart cities are realistic possibilities.

The 5G standard is based on input and expertise from around the world and has security at its heart. With security controls baked in at the design stage, 5G networks should be more resilient to attacks now and in the future.

5G security implementation challenges

These benefits come at a price, since deploying 5G is expensive. For example, more transmitters are required to cover the same area as a 4G network, and security best practices add to the cost. 5G requires strong enforcement by regulators, such as the Federal Communications Commission, to clamp down on providers that omit mandatory security features to cut costs -- a practice that has weakened security in many previous-generation networks.

Rolling out 5G depends on a global supply chain, which opens up plenty of opportunities for hackers to compromise hardware, software and services. In fact, it will be several years before there are 5G networks with no legacy technologies. Until then, 5G must remain interoperable with 3G and 4G. This means downgrade attacks, in which hackers manipulate a connection into using a less secure 3G or 4G service, will remain a threat.

There is also a shortage of security practitioners with in-depth knowledge of 5G security. Vendors need to correctly implement the security controls required by the relevant standards, obviously, but a bigger risk is that mobile network operators -- in practice, the ones deploying 5G -- might introduce new or unforeseen risks and vulnerabilities into the system if they don't configure their systems correctly.

5G infrastructure is far more complex than 4G infrastructure, with millions more connected devices, more traffic routing points and a wider range of entry points, which greatly increases the attack surface. Monitoring and maintenance need to be upgraded to sustain real-time threat detection; otherwise, one malicious device could potentially compromise thousands of interconnected devices.

5G supports creating connected services and industries with innovative use cases that could attract a new wave of cybercriminals and threat vectors that test the resilience of 5G networks and the strength of the controls that provide security for 5G communications. Many of these risks and security threats are not yet fully understood. As a result, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project and other organizations involved in setting the security standards for mobile technologies need to ensure updated requirements are implemented based on changes to the threat landscape and future risk assessments.

Approaches to securing 5G networks

Service providers and enterprises are increasingly adopting a zero-trust and identity-centric architecture to protect 5G environments. Rather than implicitly trusting devices or network segments, every access request -- whether from a device, user or network function -- is continuously verified based on identity, context and risk. This approach is often coupled with micro-segmentation of network domains -- for example, isolating IoT endpoints, edge nodes and core services -- to limit the damage of a security compromise. Robust identity management, including mutual authentication between user equipment and network and certificate- or token-based access, is a pillar of this approach.

At the same time, protecting the deeper infrastructure of 5G means tackling the increased complexity introduced by virtualization, cloud-native components, edge computing and global supply chains. Key measures include end-to-end encryption across both control and user planes; securing the software-defined and virtualized components by using hardened hardware security modules, cryptographic key lifecycle controls and trusted platform modules; and implementing strong vendor as well as component evaluation programs to manage supply chain risk. Monitoring and threat detection capabilities based on machine learning and other forms of AI are increasingly incorporated to spot anomalous behaviors across distributed network slices or edge nodes in real time.

Due diligence for 5G security

Effective due diligence begins with rigorous vendor and supply chain assessment. Operators must verify who their suppliers are, evaluate the trustworthiness of hardware and software components, and ensure there are documented processes for secure manufacturing, patching, updates and incident notification. This includes collecting company background, financial information and the vendor's security posture, not only during onboarding but continuously afterward.

Next is a comprehensive review of network architecture, identity and access management, and monitoring. Due diligence means mapping all endpoints and segments, including edge‑nodes, slices, RAN and core; checking that micro‑segmentation or zero trust principles are adopted; verifying mutual authentication and strong key management; and confirming that encryption is in place across control and user planes. Ongoing ability to detect anomalies, log events and respond to incidents is also critical.

Finally, telecom operators must handle compliance, operational readiness and continuous security assurance. They need to ensure adherence to relevant standards, maintain audit trails, conduct regular risk assessments of vendor access and infrastructure changes, and sustain visibility into the security of virtualized or cloud‑native functions. It's not enough to build once; the distributed, software‑defined nature of 5G demands ongoing diligence.

5G network security trends

Like most technology developments, 5G security is in a continual state of evolution. The following are some of the 5G network security trends to keep in mind as this sector evolves:

• Wider adoption of zero‑trust and identity‑centric models. As 5G architectures become more distributed and virtualized, the traditional perimeter-defense approach is no longer sufficient. More organizations are shifting to zero‑trust frameworks that continuously verify devices, users and services rather than implicitly trusting network segments. This approach also supports micro‑segmentation and granular control over access in 5G‑enabled environments.
• Increased use of AI, machine learning and edge analytics for threat detection and response. With 5G networks enabling massive connectivity and edge computing deployments, there's a growing need for real‑time monitoring and automated response. AI and ML tools are being embedded into network operations to identify anomalous patterns, respond to threats faster and adapt to new attack methods -- especially those targeting IoT endpoints or network slices.
• Preparing for future threats: quantum‑safe cryptography and supply chain resilience controls. As the number of 5G devices and virtualized network functions grows, so does the attack surface. Two responses will dominate here: first, introducing or piloting post-quantum cryptography to protect against future quantum-powered attacks; second, greater emphasis on securing the supply chain for both hardware and software, since compromised components in a 5G network can undermine the entire system.

Editor's note: This article was updated in February 2026 and edited to improve the reader experience.