As the technological landscape evolves, so too must your approach to cyber security. The growth of 5G networks is a perfect example. While 5G will bring much faster speeds and lower latency, there are some cyber security risks that must be considered.

Edge attacks are among some of the more looming security issues on the minds of IT experts, one of the top reasons being that bring-your-own-device policies are not in place in most organizations, which means hackers have numerous entry points. As employees engage in work-related tasks on their devices, including email and corporate apps, they open doors to cyber criminals.

Organizations have locked down these open opportunities by setting policies that include password protection, data access restrictions, anti-malware software implementation, denied use of unsanctioned applications, and establishment of educational programming that informs users of the risks associated with using non-work related technology on the network.

IoT-Related Threats

While the number of devices employees bring to work are numerous, so too are the internet of things (IoT) devices connected to your network. The functionality of these devices will see some improvement with 5G technology, but the security threats related to them will remain the same.

Some might say that since IoT will be improved, this will lead to the adoption of more IoT devices, which can exacerbate the cyber security problems. The following are some of the top vulnerabilities involving IoT:

• Non-secure interfaces throughout the ecosystem
• Poor password hygiene
• Failure to update security software
• No device management services
• Risky data transfer practices
• Default settings that are insecure
• Too many outdated and insecure components

Taking an audit of all IoT devices and building a strategy to mitigate risks can help organizations limit many of the risks.

Gaining Control

A big advantage 5G has over 4G is that 5G includes some built-in protections, such as preventing base station spoofing and blocking eavesdropping on communications. There is also extensive authentication protocol support and mandatory user plane integrity protection, but more action needs to be taken on the part of the user. For example, IT managers need to focus on taking a more holistic view of cyber security instead of looking at just specific systems and applications. Again, a thorough audit of all devices needs to be part of the strategy moving forward. Furthermore, working with a third party to identify the right technologies that can help you with your cyber security strategy is recommended.

Safari Solutions stays in the know about all things IT, providing you with technological resources so you can focus on your business. As a thought leader in all disciplines of technology services, we provide cyber security and compliance services that will fit your unique needs. Contact us and learn more about what we do to keep our clients safe in an ever evolving and risky environment.