As cyber breaches mount, communication service providers (CSPs) around the world have called for stronger 5G security network capabilities to combat the nemesis. A survey report by the Communication Service Providers and GlobalData shows that between one and six security breaches of their networks have occurred over the last 12 months.
CSPs Experience Six Security Breaches in Three Quarters
In the past three quarters, the Communication Service Providers reported that their networks had up to six security breaches in the previous year, which led to legal liability, fraud and financial theft, and the interruption of network services.
Additionally, CSPs reported that their security staff spent too much time performing manual security tasks that could be automated. They also expressed little confidence in the software security tools they currently employ, stating that they are too fragmented and slow to effectively stop threats as they develop.
Stronger 5G Security Network to Combat Cyber Attack: CSPs
In research conducted by GlobalData analysts for Nokia, it was discovered that 68% of CSPs needed to strengthen their defenses against ransomware threats, while 56% of CSPs claimed they needed to improve their cyber capabilities against telecom-specific assaults significantly.
According to the CSPs who were surveyed, as industrial organizations gradually link more of their mission-critical assets to their networks and 5G Standalone (SA) deployments disaggregate and open their networks, security vulnerabilities may develop.
At the same time, to benefit from the knowledge and resources that managed security services can offer, nearly half of the CSPs polled stated they are aiming to increase their security requirements by hiring these services.
How Strong 5G Security Network Will Combat Cyber Attack: CSPs Explain
Speaking on the cyber breaches mount, Andy Hicks, Principal Analyst at GlobalData pointed out that if CSP services grow in number, vulnerabilities will follow unless they can automate more security procedures.
“Our survey shows that CSP security staff are doing as much as they can with the people and tools they have. But as CSP services multiply, vulnerabilities will also increase unless they can automate more of their security processes.“- Andy Hicks
On the other hand, Vishal Sahay, the Head of Managed Security Services, Cloud, and Cognitive Services at Nokia, said the 5G ecosystem is undergoing significant changes that are expanding the telecom threat.
“The substantial changes taking place in the 5G ecosystem are bringing both new dimensions to the telecom threat landscape and opportunities for malicious actors to take advantage of network security vulnerabilities. And the findings we’ve announced today reinforce the critical need for CSPs and enterprises to step up their cyber protection practices and to rethink the tools and processes they are using to transform and strengthen their security capabilities.”-Vishal Sahay