Around the same time last year, I published my predictions for three trends in 5G and security. I thought it might be fun to revisit them, measure my success, and provide forward-looking insights into 2024. I often joke that meteorologists have the best jobs and are only able to predict the weather accurately half of the time, yet they still manage to stay employed. As a technology analyst, it’s nice not to have the same work pressures, but let’s dig a little deeper.
#1: Fixed wireless access delivers terminal speed. IoT security goes vertical
By all accounts, my predictions regarding widespread adoption of 5G fixed wireless access services have come true. According to an article published by his Fierce Wireless late last year, he added nearly 1 million FWA subscribers in the past five quarters. That’s an impressive number. Both T-Mobile and Verizon continue to expand their FWA subscriber numbers in the state. T-Mobile is rapidly approaching his 5 million FWA subscriber mark, and Verizon is approaching 3 million subscribers with a vastly improved service centered around building out C-band spectrum. AT&T also joined the consumer 5G FWA party, launching Internet Air service in limited markets in late August last year. There are many mobile network operators outside the US that are planning to deploy 5G FWA services. Most notably, in India, Reliance Jio plans to sell his JioAirFiber product, with multiple download speed variants, to his 200 million-plus subscriber prospects across eight cities.
My predictions about the growth of IoT security in conjunction with operational technology environments were also accurate. In addition to Palo Alto Networks, many companies, including Cisco, Entrust, Forescout, Fortinet, AWS, Azure, and Google, help enterprises protect workloads and use cases that leverage both on-premises and cloud infrastructure. doing. Manufacturing automation, transportation and logistics, supply chain, and remote asset monitoring are just a few applications that will benefit from the focus on IoT security services.
#2: Mobile network slicing becomes a reality.Malicious actors targeting hybrid workforces
My predictions for the deployment of mobile network slicing can be hit or miss. I expected that mobile network operators would become even more aggressive in 5G standalone deployment (a necessary prerequisite for network slicing) in 2023. In reality, many companies were still focused on upgrading their radio access network infrastructure and deploying mid-band spectrum to ensure the best balance between propagation and performance. However, given the slowdown in RAN spending seen last year and the progress made in rolling out expanded 5G network coverage by AT&T, Verizon, and other global carriers, there are signs that 2024 will be the year of 5G standalone. there is.
In contrast, my security predictions centered around hybrid workforce attacks came true. Forcepoint published an insightful article on this topic late last year. This includes securing cloud-based and on-premises private web applications, ensuring BYOD strategies don’t increase the likelihood of zero-day or phishing attacks, and maintaining a data security posture that understands transmissions across email, cloud, web, and networks. We highlight three key challenges, including: And the endpoint. SD-WAN solutions with built-in security, often referred to as secure access service edge, have great potential in addressing hybrid workforce security. The good news is that the SASE market is highly competitive, and with solid offerings from Cisco, Fortinet, HPE Aruba Networking, Juniper, Netskope, Palo Alto Networks, and Zscaler, you have a wide range of options to achieve the scale you need for new enterprise operations. It means that it is given to the customer. – Microbranch from anywhere.
#3: The open RAN market will consolidate.The zero trust whitewash begins
Market participants did not necessarily consolidate in 2023. Still, Open RAN experienced a major turning point in December when AT&T announced in collaboration with Ericsson that it would migrate most of its network traffic to open standards-based infrastructure by 2026. did. After hearing the announcement, I learned that the company’s aggressive transition to Open RAN is more about flexibility and innovation than cost containment. This makes sense since Open RAN enables programmability, but I suspect this move is also consistent with the US federal government’s desire to tame the communications supply chain. I am. To this end, AT&T is also working with Dell Technologies and Intel to enable Open RAN deployments.
My security prediction that the whitewashing of the Zero Trust industry would continue until 2023 came true. Last year, nearly every security solution provider claimed Zero Trust capabilities. However, Zero Trust continued its maturation cycle through enhancements to existing services. From my perspective, increased scrutiny of Zero Trust has turned out to be a positive phenomenon. We have educated companies on the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s cybersecurity framework and the importance of universal Zero Trust network access solutions that take into account the nature of modern hybrid work. The good news is that solutions are now abundant, with many infrastructure providers combining both connectivity and security features to provide simplified management, higher levels of network observability, and most importantly, Most importantly, it offers enhanced security.
summary
Time flies and I can’t believe 2023 has passed so quickly. The new year should see some amazing milestones in the maturity and security of 5G mobile networks. 5G FWA continues to rise like a rocket, network slicing becomes a reality, unlocking many mobile use cases, and Open RAN finally enjoys wide adoption, moving mobile networks from proof of concept and greenfield to brownfield. May move to deployment.
From a security perspective, the deployment of private cellular networks should continue to “meet the need” for IoT security, SASE is well-positioned to address the threat of a hybrid workforce, and ZTNA’s offering It will mature to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses to large corporations. I can’t wait to see what develops in both communications and cybersecurity over the next 12 months.
Moor Insights & Strategy, like all technology industry research and analyst firms, provides or offers paid services to technology companies. These services include research, analysis, advisory, consulting, benchmarking, acquisition matchmaking, video and speaker sponsorship. Among the companies mentioned in this article, Moor Insights & Strategy includes AT&T, AWS, Cisco Systems, Dell Technologies, Ericsson, Fortinet, Google, HPE Aruba Networking, Intel, Juniper Networks, Microsoft, Netskope, Palo Alto Networks, T-Mobile, Verizon, Zscaler.
