The rollout of 5G networks is helping business operations and opening new opportunities for innovation and a better customer experience. However, these advancements also bring cybersecurity considerations.

More organizations are prioritizing the adoption of 5G, and they face several challenges and evolving threats. Without the right security policies in place, several risks can compromise sensitive data and disrupt operations. Fortunately, knowing about the potential downsides and benefits of 5G can help businesses invest with safety in mind.

Why Are Businesses Gearing Up for the 5G Network?

As the fifth generation of mobile network technology, 5G delivers several advantages, including lightning-fast speeds of 200 Mbps, ultra-low latency and expanded device capacity. These improvements are propelling businesses forward, enabling use cases that were previously impractical with 4G technology.

Since the start of 2025, 2.4 billion people and businesses have connected to 5G worldwide, and researchers project that number to soar to 8 billion by 2029. This represents a 94% coverage of the global population. This rapid global adoption is partly due to consumer cellular data usage. 

Yet, much of the increased 5G connectivity comes from organizations leveraging it for critical applications. These use cases include massive Internet of Things (IoT) deployments in smart factories, health care, energy distribution and autonomous logistics. 

Thanks to such transformational capabilities, here is why companies are pushing for its adoption:

• Compared with earlier generations, its setup is superior and far more flexible with features like network slicing, virtualization and edge computing.
• It opens doors to innovative applications, such as artificial intelligence (AI) surveillance, predictive maintenance and seamless cloud integration.
• Its availability is growing. Telecom providers are expanding their infrastructure, so 5G coverage is reaching more urban and rural areas, increasing accessibility.

New and Amplified Cyber Risks With 5G

Cyber threats are intensifying. In the third quarter of 2024, global cyber attacks jumped by 75% from the same period in the previous year, with organizations facing an average of 1,876 attacks per week. 

Such a surge in attacks largely translates into real-world damage. If a cyber attack succeeds, companies can lose sensitive customer data and millions of dollars due to downtime and regulatory citations. 

This loss can be damaging in the long term and erodes trust between the public and business partnerships. With cyber threats growing and evolving, 5G brings even more vulnerabilities, amplifying existing risks further:

• Expanded attack surface: Cellular service — including 5G networks — now makes up approximately 21% of the world’s IoT connections. With the ability to connect more IoT devices, the number of entry points for attackers multiplies, increasing the risk of malicious infiltration.
• Faster attack execution: The ultra-high speeds of 5G enable threat actors to act more quickly, propagating malware or ransomware executions faster than organizations can detect and respond.
• Edge computing vulnerabilities: 5G architectures often decentralize data processing to the network edge. While this improves performance, it also creates dispersed environments with potentially uneven security controls, making them attractive targets.
• Supply chain and vendor risks: Vulnerabilities can exist within any part of the chain, such as network infrastructure or third-party services. As 5G deployments increase, security issues can cascade across the ecosystem. 

How 5G Changes the Nature of Cyber Threats

The number of attack points is not the only issue with 5G — it also changes how cybercriminals operate. With ultra-low latency and high throughput, malicious actors can launch more sophisticated and coordinated attacks in less time. This advantage reduces the window for detection and response, meaning traditional perimeter defenses are no longer sufficient. 

IoT-specific threats are among the most pressing changes. With billions of new devices connecting to 5G, many of them lack built-in security features, making them easy targets for exploitation. Cybercriminals can mobilize IoT endpoints into massive botnets for data extraction or as entry points to infiltrate larger corporate networks. 

At the same time, 5G opens doors to AI-powered attacks. Machine learning algorithms are useful to attackers for identifying vulnerabilities and adapting attack patterns in real time. Coupled with 5G’s scale and speed, these AI-driven threats can overwhelm advanced monitoring systems for organizations that have yet to invest in next-generation defenses. 

Benefits of 5G for Cybersecurity

Some newer risks may come with 5G-related connectivity, but the network’s capabilities can also balance out a business’s security posture. When used strategically, the technology can help organizations mitigate threats faster than ever before.

Stronger Network Slicing

5G allows for the creation of virtual network slices for specific applications or departments. This means each piece of the network can work in isolation, allowing for its own security policies. This capability reduces the risk of a breach spreading across the entire organization.

Enhanced Encryption

5G incorporates stronger encryption — such as the 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) — and authentication measures than previous generations. These improvements make it harder for attackers to steal data in transit, so businesses gain more protection for communications and transactions.

Improved Real-Time Threat Detection

The ultra-low latency of 5G enables faster identification and response to cyber threats. Security systems can process lots of data in real time, increasing the likelihood of stopping an attack before it causes significant damage.

Support for Zero Trust Architecture

5G’s advanced device authentication and segmentation capabilities align well with zero-trust security principles. Businesses can verify every user and device trying to access network resources, regardless of location.

Best Practices for Businesses Using 5G

Maximizing the advantages of 5G while minimizing its risks requires a mix of security strategies. Here are key procedures to implement:

1. Conduct Risk Assessments

Look at how the integration of this technology will affect the company’s infrastructure and state of security. Finding new attack surfaces will help IT leaders understand where to implement safeguards for high-risk areas.

2. Strengthen Endpoint Security for IoT Devices

Ensure all connected devices have strong authentication, encryption and regulate firmware updates. Where possible, segment IoT devices from critical business systems.

3. Leverage Network Slicing Effectively

Use network slicing to isolate sensitive operations or departments. This tactic will prevent a breach in one slice from compromising the rest of the network.

4. Vet and Monitor Vendors

Perform due diligence on equipment providers and service vendors, monitor for updates on vulnerabilities and apply patches promptly.

5. Implement Continuous Threat Monitoring

Use AI-powered monitoring tools to detect unusual activity instantly. Rapid detection is critical in a high-speed network environment.

Leveraging 5G With a Security-First Mindset

5G is reshaping how businesses connect, operate and innovate, but it is also changing the cybersecurity rules. With faster speeds, more connected devices and new architectural features, the stakes for protecting data and systems increase greatly.

Organizations that approach 5G adoption with awareness and preparedness can use it to its fullest potential without falling victim to its risks. Through a mix of proactive risk management and modern security practices, companies can turn 5G into a pillar of a more resilient cybersecurity strategy.