Network Detection & Response , Network Firewalls, Network Access Control , Security Operations

5G Security: Where Do Companies Miss the Mark?

Adoption of 5G is growing, but are businesses equipped to handle risks from this network? Two experts - Alex Ooi of Digital Nasional Berhad in Malaysia, and Anand R. Prasad of DNB and Deloitte in Japan - shared the risk factors to take into account and ways the telecom industry can prepare itself.

See Also: Bringing Zero Trust Security to the Public Cloud

"It is important to have a holistic approach. Very often people don't even know where their assets are. A holistic approach will have many aspects like security by design, zero trust approach, etc.," Prasad said. "When you talk about the technology part, it is about understanding the life cycle, understanding the requirements, how it should be implemented and deployed and how the network will run."

Since 5G is a greenfield, it is easy to identify key areas from where you can build your security foundation, Ooi said. "We started by putting in place a comprehensive cyber governance and reporting framework. This brings transparency and awareness. Another area of focus for us is secure by design," he said.

In this video interview with Information Security Media Group, Prasad and Ooi discussed:

• How changes in 5G infrastructure affect cybersecurity;
• Ways in which the SOC can securely adopt 5G networks;
• How to develop a holistic approach to security.

Prasad is a partner at Deloitte Tohmatsu Cyber, where he leads the emerging technology unit. He also serves as a board member for Digital Nasional Berhad. Prasad previously served as founder and CEO of wenovator, which was acquired by DTCY; adviser to NTT DOCOMO; CISO of Rakuten Mobile; and chairman for 3GPP SA3 standardization.

Ooi has more than 20 years of on-the-ground and practical experience ICT experience in the cybersecurity and IT network infrastructure spaces for enterprises and public sector organizations in the service provider and end-user roles.