Closing the Gap: Securing Private 5G Networks Amidst the AI Surge

Trend Micro Incorporated recently launched a joint research initiative with CTOne, revealing a striking concern: a scarcity of communications technology (CT) expertise is potentially leaving private 5G networks vulnerable to cyber threats, even as organizations enthusiastically adopt AI security tools.

Rachel Jin, Trend’s Chief Enterprise Platform Officer, made a noteworthy point: “Not all AI security is created equal. Many organizations face risks due to a lack of understanding. Proactive attack surface management is essential for private 5G networks; a minor oversight can pave the way for possible breaches. Security professionals need to blend AI-driven protection with a thorough grasp of technology and cyber risks to secure these vital environments.”

The Rise of Private 5G Networks

Private 5G networks are rapidly gaining traction, especially in essential sectors like energy, military, logistics, healthcare, and smart manufacturing. According to Trend Micro’s survey, a remarkable 100% of respondents indicated they either currently use private 5G networks (86%) or are considering their deployment (14%).

IT and cybersecurity experts acknowledge the substantial advantages of integrating AI-powered security into these networks. Nearly all respondents shared that they are either utilizing AI tools (62%) or planning to implement them (35%) for securing their private 5G environments. The features deemed most critical in this setting include:

• Predictive Threat Intelligence: 58%
• Continuous, Adaptive Authentication: 52%
• Zero Trust Enforcement: 47%
• Self-Healing Networks Featuring AI Automation: 41%

Jim Frey, Principal Analyst at ESG, stated, “Companies are discovering significant operational benefits from private 5G networks, often linked to their AI initiatives. However, it’s vital that their security operations centers are equipped to monitor and secure this emerging communication technology. Cybersecurity vendors who implement proactive risk management and attack path prediction strategies will stand out as leaders in safeguarding private 5G and AI systems.”

Struggles in Deploying AI Security

Despite enthusiasm, over 90% of organizations utilizing AI security acknowledged challenges in integrating this technology with private 5G networks. The top worries include high costs (47%), fears of false positives/negatives (44%), and a glaring lack of internal expertise (37%). Alarmingly, only 20% of global organizations have a dedicated team focused on securing their communication networks, with many relying instead on their Chief Technology Officer (43%) or Chief Information Officer (32%) for oversight.

Jason Huang, CEO of CTOne, highlighted, “As enterprises accelerate their use of mobile networks—both private and public—they encounter new challenges that require specialized CT security skills. Companies need a holistic approach that provides broad visibility to automate security operations while managing their expanding attack surfaces.”

Currently, an average of just 18% of security budgets is directed toward securing private 5G networks, despite the sensitive data and critical services they manage. Trend’s findings suggest many organizations may be unknowingly exposing themselves to cyber and compliance risks due to inadequate protections around AI used for traffic monitoring and analysis.

Essential Considerations for AI and Compliance

Shockingly, only about half or fewer of the respondents reported taking necessary precautions like:

• Ensuring compliance with data privacy laws such as GDPR: 54%
• Encrypting data at rest and in transit: 51%
• Implementing robust access controls for AI models: 50%
• Utilizing data anonymization techniques: 44%

Understanding the Landscape

A considerable survey by Trend Micro and CTOne, conducted by Sapio Research, included 800 decision-makers in IT and cybersecurity across major regions including the U.S., UK, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. Each participant represented organizations with over 250 employees that either deploy or are assessing the deployment of private 5G networks.

As the landscape within communications technology evolves, it’s essential for organizations to not only invest in AI security but to also cultivate expertise within their teams. This combination can significantly enhance the security posture of private 5G networks.

The AI Buzz Hub team is excited to see where these breakthroughs take us. Want to stay in the loop on all things AI? Subscribe to our newsletter or share this article with your fellow enthusiasts!