5G Network Slicing Security: NSA and CISA Join Forces to Provide Essential Guidance

NSA and CISA Issue Guidance on 5G Network Slicing Security

The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have published guidance on hardening 5G standalone network slices against potential threats. The guidance, titled ‘5G Network Slicing: Security Considerations for Design, Deployment, and Maintenance’, is the second part of a two-part series that provides considerations on the risks, benefits, security, design, deployment, maintenance, and operations of 5G standalone network slices.

Risks and Mitigation

In the first part of the series, published in December 2022, the US government agencies identified denial-of-service (DoS), man-in-the-middle (MitM), and configuration attacks as the main security risks associated with 5G network slicing. The agencies provided recommendations for mitigating these risks. The newly published guidance expands on these recommendations and aims to foster communication and collaboration between various stakeholders involved in network slicing.

Understanding 5G Network Slicing

The new guidance provides an overview of 5G network slicing and enumerates the main components of a network slice, as well as potential threat vectors. It also delves into the design, operation, and maintenance of such a network. The agencies emphasize that understanding potential security threats is crucial for the secure implementation and operation of 5G standalone network slices, which are expected to become a key technology feature within 5G.

Industry Collaboration for Security Hardening

The NSA and CISA stress the importance of collaboration between mobile network operators, hardware manufacturers, software developers, system integrators, and network slice customers to increase resiliency and security hardening. They emphasize the need to follow industry-recognized best practices in implementing, designing, deploying, operating, maintaining, and potentially hardening 5G network slicing.

Editorial: The Importance of Secure 5G Network Slicing

The publication of this guidance by the NSA and CISA highlights the critical need to address the security challenges associated with 5G network slicing. As 5G technology continues to evolve and unlock new capabilities, it is crucial to ensure that these advancements are accompanied by robust security measures.

Network slicing allows service providers to divide their 5G networks into virtualized, independent networks to accommodate different use cases and applications. While this enables greater flexibility and customization, it also introduces potential security vulnerabilities. The risks identified by the NSA and CISA, such as DoS, MitM, and configuration attacks, can have profound implications for the integrity and availability of network slices.

By publishing this guidance, the NSA and CISA aim to promote a collective understanding of the security considerations and best practices associated with 5G network slicing. This collaborative approach is essential to ensure that all stakeholders, from network operators to software developers, work together to implement and maintain secure network slices.

Advice for Stakeholders

The guidance provided by the NSA and CISA serves as a valuable resource for organizations involved in 5G network slicing. To ensure secure implementation and operation of network slices, stakeholders should take the following steps:

1. Read and familiarize themselves with the published guidance on 5G network slicing security considerations.
2. Collaborate with other stakeholders, including mobile network operators, hardware manufacturers, software developers, and system integrators, to share knowledge and best practices.
3. Implement industry-recognized best practices in designing, deploying, operating, and maintaining network slices.
4. Continuously assess and mitigate potential security threats, such as DoS, MitM, and configuration attacks, by following the recommended mitigation strategies.
5. Stay up-to-date with the latest security developments and guidelines from the NSA, CISA, and other relevant industry organizations.

By adopting these measures, organizations can enhance the resiliency and security of their 5G network slices, ensuring the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of their networks and services.