As modern life becomes increasingly connected, the networks that support our digital lives are being targeted at an unprecedented scale. Telecom operators face heightened risks – from zero-day software vulnerabilities to sophisticated nation-state actors like Salt Typhoon – that make the old perimeter-based models obsolete.  Some firms project that global cybercrime costs will rise by 15% annually over the next five years, climbing from $3 trillion in 2015, to $10.5 trillion per year by 2025. 

To keep up with evolving threats, the telecom sector must design systems with resilience in mind, guided by the foundational five pillars of information security: confidentiality, Integrity, availability, authenticity, and non-repudiation.

Five pillars of information security

Network security can be quite an undertaking given the wide-reaching nature of telecom. To help protect network systems and data from cybersecurity threats and vulnerabilities posed by adversaries, the telecom industry relies on generally recognized security “pillars” that help guide safety protocols.  

To stand up and effectively maintain these pillars, having the right telecom network security protocols that align with them is crucial to survival. However, what worked yesterday or last year might not work down the road. Here are some if the most effective network protection practices: 

• Implement a zero-trust architecture (ZTA) with cross-cutting functions: visibility and analytics, automation, orchestration, and governance 
• Stay up-to-date and follow secure software development  
• Apply industry best practices for software hardening, as well as incident response and business continuity planning 
• Add privacy-specific protocols to ensure better alignment with regulatory mandates 
• Ensure preparedness for the future (e.g. post quantum cryptography plan of action) 

A zero-trust future

It can be challenging for network operators to look to the future when there are so many pressing issues already in play. Telecom is building the AI bike while riding it. Rapid AI adoption across telecom operations are also introducing new challenges in model governance, data privacy, and supply-chain risk. Simultaneously, the rate of IoT device growth is expanding the threat surface. The number of IoT devices is expected to practically double to 40.6 billion by 2034. Reports show there are as many as 5,400 attacks per month on IoT devices. 

Network operators need to plan not only for the threats of today but for the future. Zero-trust and post-quantum cryptography (PQC) are the key elements here for building lasting resiliency and staying ahead of cybercriminals. Since zero trust makes it harder for adversaries to get to the data in the first place, and PQC adoption ensures continued cryptographic security.  

How telecom can protect infrastructure

Turning the system off and back on during a cyberattack won’t exactly solve security issues. The telecom network isn’t like a regular IT system in this regard. It requires a much more thoughtful approach to ensure communications across the various industries it supports staying in motion when disaster strikes. 

Vast amounts of data are transmitted across these networks every day and it’s not showing any signs of slowing down. But the silver lining is that this connected, data-heavy ecosystem is being enabled by 5G, the latest generation of mobile technology.  

These networks introduce built-in security measures, such as proven encryption and identity protection. Network slicing allows for tailored security policies by use case, ensuring resilience in mission-critical applications. Coupled with ZTA, 5G gives providers the tools necessary to mitigate evolving threats effectively.  

Don’t just sit back. Be proactive when it comes to your telecom network security and anticipate how threats will evolve. Practices such as ZTA, software lifecycle management, efficient hardening, and continuous monitoring should be at the forefront of your telecom network security efforts. 

Without security practices like these, operators’ risk being ill-equipped during the next attack (and there will undoubtedly be another one).