Security News > 2021 > July > Great Power or Great Vulnerability? Securing 5G and 6G Networks
5G and 6G networks will have a significantly larger attack surface than their predecessors, thanks to innovations in IoT, virtualized networks, and open source technologies.
As a result, companies should assess and improve their 5G and even 6G cyber readiness before these networks are widely available.
Since networks provide the foundation for IoT, ensuring their reliability and security is critical.
A key innovation of 5G and 6G networks is the virtualization of network functions previously performed by hardware.
5G and future 6G networks will be built with open-source software and standards, allowing for faster and more frequent implementations and, in turn, a broader attack surface.
These upfront security investments and cyber diligence initiatives are smart business strategies for all parties participating in 5G and eventually 6G. Staying more than one step ahead of cyber adversaries will ensure that businesses, customers, employees, and consumers, will be able to reap the benefits of the next generations of networks.