Emerging Tech & Niche Security

5G_Network Slicing Security

  • May 9, 2025
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Sherlocked Security – 5G / Network Slicing Security

Securing the Future of Telecom: Comprehensive Security for 5G Networks and Network Slicing

1. Statement of Work (SOW)

Service Name: 5G / Network Slicing Security
Client Type: Telecom Providers, Enterprises Deploying Private 5G, Network Operators, Cloud Service Providers, IoT and Industrial Users
Service Model: Project-Based Assessment & Retainer Advisory
Compliance Alignment: NIST 800-53, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, PCI-DSS, and 5G-specific standards (e.g., 3GPP, ETSI)

5G / Network Slicing Security Includes:

  • Security evaluation of 5G core and radio access network (RAN)
  • Risk assessment for slicing of networks to meet enterprise or IoT use cases
  • Review of multi-layer security mechanisms for network slices
  • Identification of vulnerabilities in network slicing protocols and isolation mechanisms
  • Assessment of virtualized network components and services within slices
  • Security analysis of orchestration, management, and control frameworks in 5G architecture
  • Evaluation of data protection mechanisms within 5G slices
  • Ensuring compliance with 5G privacy and data sovereignty regulations
  • Evaluation of encryption and authentication protocols for 5G communication
  • Recommendations for securing 5G devices, endpoints, and customer-premises equipment (CPE)
  • Ensuring resilience and defense against DoS, DDoS, and other cyberattacks on 5G infrastructure

2. Our Approach

[Assessment & Discovery] → [Threat Modeling] → [Security Testing] → [Slicing Architecture Review] → [Data Protection Review] → [Access Control & Isolation] → [Compliance Review] → [Reporting & Recommendations]

3. Methodology

  • 5G Core & Radio Access Network (RAN) Security:

    • Review security measures of 5G core components, including the Control Plane, User Plane, and Service Plane.
    • Analyze security for RAN, including encryption, authentication, and access control for radio interfaces.
    • Identify risks within network components that enable end-to-end service delivery over 5G.

  • Network Slicing Security Review:

    • Assess the design and segmentation of network slices, ensuring proper isolation and segregation of virtualized environments.
    • Review virtualized network functions (VNFs) within slices to prevent cross-slice contamination.
    • Evaluate security controls within the orchestration layer, including management and control functions.

  • Risk Assessment & Vulnerability Management:

    • Perform risk analysis on the slicing mechanisms, including slice isolation and inter-slice communication risks.
    • Conduct vulnerability assessments for network slice orchestration and management interfaces.
    • Penetration testing for slice-specific vulnerabilities and threats.

  • Data Protection & Privacy Compliance:

    • Review data flow through 5G slices, ensuring encryption at rest and in transit.
    • Evaluate compliance with privacy regulations such as GDPR, ensuring the separation of sensitive data across slices.
    • Assess data residency and sovereignty concerns for 5G deployments across different regions.

  • Threat Modeling & Attack Simulation:

    • Identify potential attack vectors that could target network slices and compromise isolated environments.
    • Simulate common attacks, including man-in-the-middle (MITM), DoS, DDoS, and traffic interception.
    • Evaluate the effectiveness of slicing mechanisms to prevent these attacks.

  • Access Control & Authentication:

    • Assess the effectiveness of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for access to network slices.
    • Evaluate access control models for 5G management, orchestration, and control functions.
    • Review user role definitions and authorization mechanisms within slices.

  • End-to-End Encryption & Secure Communication:

    • Ensure that communication between slices and from devices to the core is encrypted.
    • Review cryptographic algorithms and key management for securing 5G communications.
    • Verify secure authentication between devices, network elements, and slice boundaries.

  • Incident Response & Network Resilience:

    • Develop tailored incident response plans specific to 5G and network slicing environments.
    • Implement network resilience strategies to detect, mitigate, and respond to attacks on slices (e.g., DDoS, intrusion).
    • Set up continuous monitoring for security events related to network slices.

  • Ongoing Security Monitoring:

    • Implement security monitoring tailored to 5G and network slice environments.
    • Use SIEM systems to track suspicious activity across different slices.
    • Set up automated alerting and monitoring for cross-slice communication or unauthorized access attempts.

  • Compliance & Regulatory Review:

    • Ensure that the 5G environment complies with relevant standards, such as 3GPP security requirements.
    • Verify compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other regional data privacy laws.
    • Review government and telecom regulations specific to 5G and network slicing, ensuring all requirements are met.

4. Deliverables to the Client

  1. 5G / Network Slicing Security Assessment Report: Detailed report on the security posture of 5G networks and network slices, including vulnerabilities and risks.
  2. Threat Modeling & Attack Simulation Findings: Documentation of attack vectors and simulated attacks targeting network slices.
  3. Penetration Test Results: Findings from testing vulnerabilities in network slices, orchestration functions, and security protocols.
  4. Data Protection Review: Assessment of encryption and data protection practices within network slices.
  5. Access Control & Authentication Review: Evaluation of access controls, roles, and user permissions within 5G environments.
  6. Incident Response Plan: A tailored incident response plan for securing 5G and network slicing deployments.
  7. Compliance Checklist: Verification of regulatory compliance and specific 5G standards (e.g., 3GPP, ETSI).
  8. Ongoing Security Monitoring Strategy: Recommendations for continuous monitoring and alerting within 5G networks and slices.

5. What We Need from You (Client Requirements)

  • Network Diagram: A detailed architecture diagram for the 5G network and network slicing configuration.
  • Access to Network Elements: Full access to core 5G network components, slicing orchestration platforms, and management interfaces.
  • Security Policies: Any existing security frameworks or policies relevant to 5G and network slicing.
  • Compliance Requirements: Documentation outlining specific compliance needs related to privacy, data protection, and network security.
  • Incident History: Historical security event logs or records related to the 5G network.

6. Tools & Technology Stack

  • 5G Core Security:

    • Open5GS, O-RAN, Mavenir for network slice orchestration and management.
    • Wireshark, NSS Labs for traffic inspection and analysis.
    • Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks for securing the 5G core and slicing.

  • Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Scanning:

    • Nessus, Metasploit, Kali Linux for security testing.
    • Nmap, Snort for network traffic analysis and intrusion detection.

  • Data Protection & Encryption:

    • TLS/SSL, IPSec for encrypted communication between slices.
    • RSA SecurID, HashiCorp Vault for secure key management.

  • Access Control & Authentication:

    • Okta, Auth0, Duo Security for centralized authentication management.
    • Cisco ISE, Palo Alto Networks for access control enforcement.

  • Incident Response & Monitoring:

    • Splunk, ELK Stack for event logging and monitoring.
    • Zeek, Bro IDS for network intrusion detection.

  • Compliance & Regulatory Frameworks:

    • Compliance.ai, TrustArc for managing compliance with 5G security regulations.

7. Engagement Lifecycle

  1. Kickoff & Scoping: Define the scope of the 5G and network slicing security review, including client-specific needs and architecture overview.
  2. Network & Slicing Architecture Review: Evaluate the design, segmentation, and security of network slices and 5G components.
  3. Threat Modeling & Attack Simulation: Identify attack vectors and simulate real-world security incidents to test the resilience of network slices.
  4. Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Scanning: Execute detailed penetration tests targeting 5G network components, slices, and orchestration platforms.
  5. Data Protection & Encryption Review: Assess encryption strategies, key management, and privacy protections for data in transit and at rest within network slices.
  6. Access Control & Authentication Review: Review the authentication and access management model to ensure robust protections for network slice resources.
  7. Incident Response Plan: Develop an incident response strategy tailored to 5G network slicing.
  8. Compliance Review: Verify compliance with relevant 5G security standards and privacy regulations.
  9. Ongoing Monitoring & Security Operations Strategy: Establish continuous monitoring protocols for slice integrity and threat detection.
  10. Reporting & Recommendations: Deliver a final report detailing security gaps and providing actionable recommendations for improvement.

8. Why Sherlocked Security?

Feature Sherlocked Advantage
Comprehensive 5G Security Review End-to-end security assessment for 5G networks and slices
Expert Threat Modeling Identification of unique risks and attack vectors in network slicing
Advanced Penetration Testing Real-world attack simulations on 5G network elements and slices
Data Privacy & Encryption Ensuring compliance and robust data protection in 5G environments
Zero Trust Implementation Apply Zero Trust principles to network slices and orchestration layers
Ongoing Monitoring & Threat Detection Real-time security operations tailored for 5G slices

9. Real-World Case Studies

5G Security Review for Telecom Provider

Client: A major telecom provider deploying 5G network slices for multiple industrial and enterprise use cases.
Challenge: Concerns over the security of multi-tenant network slices, with critical infrastructure sharing network resources.
Solution: Conducted a comprehensive 5G security assessment, reviewing slice isolation, encryption strategies, and vulnerability management. Implemented segmentation controls and enhanced monitoring for slice activity.
Outcome: Strengthened security for high-priority network slices and ensured the integrity of multi-tenant resources.

Private 5G Network for Manufacturing Industry

Client: A manufacturing company deploying a private 5G network for IoT devices.
Challenge: Need to ensure secure communication between connected devices and control systems, while maintaining compliance with industry regulations.
Solution: Performed security testing on network slices, focusing on device authentication, encrypted communication, and access controls. Implemented key management for secure communications and compliance checks.
Outcome: Ensured a robust and secure private 5G network, with protection against cyberattacks and regulatory compliance achieved.

10. SOP – Standard Operating Procedure

  1. Initial Engagement: Gather architecture diagrams, security policies, and client requirements for 5G network slicing security.
  2. Network Architecture Review: Evaluate the design of network slices and associated components.
  3. Threat Modeling & Risk Analysis: Identify and analyze potential threats targeting network slices.
  4. Penetration Testing & Vulnerability Scanning: Execute tests on core 5G components, orchestration layers, and slices.
  5. Data Protection & Encryption Review: Ensure that all communication within and between slices is properly secured.
  6. Access Control Implementation: Enforce role-based access control and authentication policies for network slice resources.
  7. Incident Response & Monitoring: Develop and implement incident response plans and monitoring strategies for 5G environments.
  8. Compliance Verification: Confirm that the 5G network complies with relevant security regulations and industry standards.
  9. Final Reporting: Provide the client with detailed findings, including vulnerabilities, risks, and actionable recommendations.

11. 5G / Network Slicing Security Review Readiness Checklist

1. Pre-Engagement Preparation

  • [ ] Network architecture diagram for 5G and network slices
  • [ ] Access to 5G core components and slicing orchestration platforms
  • [ ] Security policies for network management and slice orchestration
  • [ ] Compliance documentation outlining data protection and privacy regulations

2. During Engagement

  • [ ] Perform risk assessment and threat modeling for 5G slicing environments
  • [ ] Conduct penetration tests on network slice orchestration, communication, and access controls
  • [ ] Review data protection mechanisms, ensuring encryption within and between slices
  • [ ] Evaluate access controls, ensuring proper segregation and isolation of slices
  • [ ] Develop incident response and monitoring strategy for 5G slicing environments

3. Post-Review Actions

  • [ ] Provide findings and recommendations based on the security review
  • [ ] Implement recommended security controls and enhancements for 5G slices
  • [ ] Establish continuous monitoring for slice activity and vulnerabilities
  • [ ] Update incident response plans to reflect 5G and slicing-specific risks

4. Continuous Improvement

  • [ ] Regularly update security configurations for 5G network slices
  • [ ] Continuously monitor for emerging vulnerabilities and threats targeting slices
  • [ ] Perform periodic security reviews and penetration tests on 5G network elements
  • [ ] Maintain updated compliance documentation for evolving regulations
  • [ ] Integrate new security technologies and best practices into network slicing environments
AI_ML Model Security & Poisoning Testing
Timeline Reconstruction