Integrating Private 5G security into enterprise networks requires bridging the gap between cellular protocols and existing IT governance.
Industrial connectivity is moving past simple coverage requirements. As organisations digitise physical infrastructure – from container ports to manufacturing floors – the adoption of Private 5G (P5G) offers the low latency and reliability necessary for automation. However, this adoption creates a specific friction point for the C-suite: integrating the distinct architecture of 3GPP cellular standards with established enterprise security frameworks.
A recent paper released by the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) flagged this challenge, noting that while P5G enables advanced use cases like predictive maintenance and real-time tracking, it also expands the attack surface. For CIOs and CISOs, the priority is no longer just deploying the network but ensuring it does not become an unmanaged entry point for cyber threats.
Converging Private 5G and enterprise security
Private 5G networks – derived from carrier-grade 3GPP standards – are designed to function independently, managing their own user equipment (UE) and SIM-based authentication. In contrast, modern enterprise networks rely on Wi-Fi and Ethernet, where authentication is typically tied to user roles and identity management systems rather than physical SIM cards.
By design, a standard P5G core does not inherently control which enterprise resources a connected device can access. Without integration, a cellular-connected robot or sensor sits outside the visibility of the corporate security operations centre (SOC).
Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, said: “Private 5G represents the next frontier of enterprise connectivity, but with its potential comes new complexity and risk. By bringing Wi-Fi and 5G under a common security framework, the industry can accelerate digital transformation without compromising resilience or interoperability.”
The WBA proposes a “converged security architecture” that unifies Private 5G and Wi-Fi under a single policy framework. The goal is to treat P5G not as a separate telecoms island, but as another access medium (like Wi-Fi or wired switching) that adheres to central governance.
Achieving this unity requires open industry standard protocols. The report identifies mechanisms such as REST API, WebSocket, and pxGrid as the necessary “glue” to bridge the 3GPP world with enterprise IT environments. For example, the pxGrid protocol facilitates bi-directional data exchange, allowing network access control (NAC) and threat intelligence platforms to share context and enforce policies across different network types.
Zero Trust in cellular
For enterprise risk managers, the static nature of traditional cellular security falls short. In a standard mobile network, a valid SIM often grants broad network access. In a corporate environment, this creates unacceptable lateral movement risks.
Gino Corleto, Project Leader and Industry Solutions Architect at Cisco, said: “As enterprises accelerate digital transformation, integrating Private 5G into existing IT and Wi-Fi environments introduces both opportunity and complexity, particularly for security teams tasked with protecting critical operations.
The WBA argues for applying Zero Trust principles to P5G. This framework assumes no implicit trust, regardless of whether a device is on Wi-Fi or 5G, and requires continuous verification. Implementation involves moving away from perimeter-based defence toward micro-segmentation.
Macro-segmentation, often handled via VLANs and firewalls, separates traffic types to ensure an IoT VLAN cannot communicate with a server VLAN. While effective for broad traffic control, it can be cumbersome to maintain in dynamic environments. Micro-segmentation offers a more granular approach, enforcing policies based on device roles rather than IP addresses.
Rising data volumes make the centralised cloud model prone to latency and privacy issues. The WBA points to the integration of Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) with Private 5G networks as a method to improve security by processing data closer to the source.
For industries handling sensitive intellectual property, such as manufacturing designs or patient records, MEC ensures that data does not leave the private perimeter. This local processing reduces exposure to the public internet and external networks.
The complexity of 5G architectures, which include network slicing and virtualisation, requires automated defence mechanisms. The WBA notes that traditional security approaches often fail to catch sophisticated attacks targeting these software-defined infrastructures.
AI is becoming essential for monitoring these environments. AI-driven tools can analyse traffic patterns in real-time to detect anomalies that deviate from established baselines. In a P5G context, these systems can autonomously trigger countermeasures such as isolating a compromised network slice or quarantining a device acting suspiciously.
Ecosystem integration
Deployment success relies on interoperability. The WBA emphasises that Private 5G networks must integrate with the existing “industry ecosystem” of security vendors. This ecosystem includes major players in firewalling, intrusion prevention, and flow analytics, all of which are capable of interchanging security data.
Organisations should use these existing investments rather than layering duplicate security stacks. By using standard APIs to connect the 5G core with the enterprise policy engine, businesses can extend their current security posture to the new radio access network.
For technology leaders assessing Private 5G, the WBA suggests focusing immediately on visibility and policy alignment. Security cannot be an afterthought retrofitted onto a deployed radio network.
Phase 2 of this roadmap will target “operational security intelligence,” specifically referencing centralised monitoring and Security Operations Centre (SOC) coordination. However, for current deployments, the recommended path involves four key steps: mapping all assets and endpoints to understand what is connecting to the network; deploying role-based access controls; utilising AI tools for continuous monitoring; and using a centralised management platform to unify Wi-Fi and 5G policies.
By treating Private 5G as an integrated component of the broader IT estate, rather than a standalone operational technology, enterprises can help ensure the security of their digital transition.
See also: Protecting assets against threat actors targeting telecoms
Want to learn more about cybersecurity from industry leaders? Check out Cyber Security & Cloud Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is part of TechEx and is co-located with other leading technology events including the AI & Big Data Expo. Click here for more information.
Telecoms is powered by TechForge Media. Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars here.
