According to federal cyber authorities, some new and emerging technologies that are taking over the telecoms space are presenting inherent security risks to users and providers. These open-source options provide companies with simpler tools whilst using vulnerable code that can leave spaces for third parties and hackers to breach systems. Open source interfaces and components are a growing part of plenty of other networks aside from telecoms, with the security risks to the telecoms industry and infrastructure having potentially catastrophic security implications for organisations.
What is Open RAN?
Open RAN stands for Open Radio Access Network and refers to a series of interconnected standards-based parts that any user can contribute to. There are a few key principles of Open RAN, including an open disaggregation of parts, standards-based compliance, proof that different parts can work together with one another, and neutrality in the way that people implement the system.
Risks of Open RAN
There are a few security risks that using Open RAN poses to users in a range of settings. One of the main causes of this risk is the increase in “threat surface area”, or the proportion of the network that is vulnerable to outside parties. The larger the surface area, the more space and potential there is for a hacker to find a vulnerability in the system and steal information or destroy the functionality of the network.
A lack of future compatibility is another threat that Open RAN poses. If there is a vulnerability and one vendor patches it, the multi-vendor nature of the system means that some parts of the system are vulnerable whilst others aren’t. The more platforms you introduce, the more parties need to add their own safety and security features.
Why use Open RAN?
In spite of these risks, people keep using Open RAN for a few reasons. The first is the greater level of flexibility. As different vendors all provide parts for the system, a single company going out of operation doesn’t mean that the system becomes obsolete. Companies using Open RAN access a more flexible system with a lower risk of harm to systems in the future.
Low barriers to entry are another significant benefit. As providers and companies access information interchanges and radio networks more often, Open RAN is a more flexible way of building an organisation from the bottom.
Government Guidance
Thanks to these issues, the National Security Agency and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency have guidance for providers. This includes everything from making sure of security provisions to network virtualisation, all with the goal of a more secure network in the future that people can use reliably. Any guidance is focusing on security in telecoms for different applications, with a bespoke and unique approach necessary for different apps with a series of unique security requirements. Open RAN is a useful tool for the telecoms industry and, with guidance from relevant government agencies, these systems are looking more and more likely to eliminate the risks and leave only the upside.
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