Cybersecurity and information protection professionals are tasked with advising IT executives on how to best meet the demands of a dynamic and fast changing digital ecosystem. As the use of internet of things (IoT) devices, increased mobility, cloud deployments, and an ever-expanding edge push networks beyond what was previously possible, the integration of security and networking becomes increasingly important to better guard against attacks.
Network Performance and Security: Accelerating Trends and 5G
The disadvantages of a piecemeal security approach that can leave gaps in protection have long been warned against. They’ve also been warned that failing to develop a comprehensive, cohesive digital transformation strategy that includes an integrated security solution will pose long-term problems. And this was before to the outbreak of the epidemic.
When COVID-19 arrived on the scene, workers all across the world were abruptly moved to a remote structure. To preserve business continuity, networks that were already in a dangerous position were stretched even farther in size and scale. Because of the demand for quick expansion, many businesses have neglected security.
This rapid network expansion, on the other hand, was less of a foray into unknown ground and more of a continuation of existing trends. Additional security challenges have emerged as a result of the introduction of 5G. Furthermore, many people are unaware of how unprepared they are for the extra changes that are on the way.
Many organisations are aware with 5G, which has little bandwidth and operates at speeds of less than six gigahertz. This is in sharp contrast to what’s happening on the scene, where new handsets can utilise 5G bandwidth at speeds of up to 24 gigahertz. This will have a significant impact on network performance needs at the edge for both devices and applications, as well as the security infrastructure required to monitor and manage this new level of performance.
Manufacturing, energy grids, driverless vehicles, and consumer brands are all expected to benefit from the new 5G network. Businesses who do not plan ahead of time for this transformation will begin to experience latency issues and drastically reduced user experiences, and will eventually be left behind.
Taking on the Security Challenges of 5G
Demands on networks will rise dramatically, especially at the periphery, and rising complexity will result in changing security requirements. However, just adding security to a network might cause inefficiencies. The challenge is to discover a technique to expand network capacity while maintaining a positive user experience.
To overcome the problems of 5G, two options are being considered. The first strategy is to put security in place at the 5G carrier level. The second necessitates an emphasis on edge security, because 5G is utilised as a backup or, increasingly, as a primary connection at the edge. Whatever approach is taken, AI-predictive and ASIC-accelerated performance will be required at the edge.
Even if 5G isn’t a top concern, the cloud edge will necessitate new levels of highly tuned security. To meet the demand, complex hybrid networks now span multiple clouds and data centres, necessitating the use of more virtual devices and firewalls. While 5G will speed up transactions and applications, it will also make cyberattacks speedier. When it comes to security policy and deployment strategy, proper management necessitates tremendous consistency.
With 5G, the time to prepare is now.
Today, 5G represents a $5 billion revenue opportunity for operators. By 2025, this figure is expected to reach $357 billion, indicating a dramatic shift in how and where 5G will be employed. As a result, any business that wants to stay afloat will need to match the performance and security requirements of 5G.
This capacity is currently lacking in many businesses. Furthermore, earlier methods of pursuing best-of-breed devices have resulted in a legacy security setup that is comprised of a hypercomplex patchwork of increasingly difficult-to-manage infrastructures. Last-minute deployments in the aftermath of the outbreak certainly didn’t help matters. Adding 5G to such systems is likely to exacerbate the situation and create a slew of new issues and vulnerabilities.
Workarounds are no longer a viable option. The moment has come for businesses to implement cohesive and comprehensive 5G network security policies. They must, however, respond swiftly because the demands of a 5G world will only increase from here, and 6G is only a decade away.
