FORT MEADE, Maryland – Today, Enduring Security Framework (ESF) partners the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) announced an assessment of 5G network slicing. ESF, a public-private cross-working group led by NSA and CISA, has identified three keys to keeping this emerging technology secure: security considerations in design, deployment, and maintenance.
“This document represents a first step in understanding the current but evolving landscape of network slicing and is a great way to start meaningful conversations around potential use cases for network slicing. It acts as a catalyst,” said Lauren Wible, technical director of network infrastructure security. N.S.A.
5G is the fifth generation technology standard for broadband mobile phone networks. Data download and upload speeds are increased, latency is reduced, and more devices can connect to the internet at the same time. 5G network slicing is a network architecture that allows mobile service providers to partition their networks into multiple independent networks, creating specific virtual networks for different clients and use cases. Today’s release builds on threats and security considerations previously published by ESF.
This assessment provides an informed methodology and industry guide for federal departments and agencies (including the Department of Defense) to design, deploy, operate, and maintain secure network slicing across private, hybrid, and public networks. The purpose is to provide mutual understanding.
This paper introduces 5G stakeholders to the benefits associated with network slicing, assesses the threat vectors for 5G network slicing, provides guidance aligned with industry best practices, and identifies the perceived risks and Identify management strategies that can address
Although all 5G network stakeholders can benefit from this guidance, the threats and security considerations described in this assessment are useful for mobile service providers who design, deploy, operate, or maintain 5G networks; Intended for hardware manufacturers, software developers, and system integrators. This document is intended to facilitate communication between these parties and between those parties and Network Slice customers. See other ESF 5G series documents below.
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