Secure Integration of 5G in Industrial Networks: State of the Art, Challenges and Opportunities

TL;DR

This paper reviews the current state, challenges, and opportunities of securely integrating 5G networks into industrial systems, emphasizing security risks, unique challenges, and future research directions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive summary of existing research, offers security recommendations, and identifies future opportunities for 5G in industrial networks.

Findings

5G integration introduces new security risks in industrial systems.

Unique challenges stem from 5G complexity and industrial network requirements.

Opportunities include leveraging 5G to enhance security measures.

Abstract

The industrial landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from traditional wired fieldbus networks to cutting-edge 5G mobile networks. This transition, extending from local applications to company-wide use and spanning multiple factories, is driven by the promise of low-latency communication and seamless connectivity for various devices in industrial settings. However, besides these tremendous benefits, the integration of 5G as the communication infrastructure in industrial networks introduces a new set of risks and threats to the security of industrial systems. The inherent complexity of 5G systems poses unique challenges for ensuring a secure integration, surpassing those encountered with any technology previously utilized in industrial networks. Most importantly, the distinct characteristics of industrial networks, such as real-time operation, required safety guarantees, and high availability requirements, further complicate this task. As the industrial transition from wired to wireless networks is a relatively new concept, a lack of guidance and recommendations on securely integrating 5G renders many industrial systems vulnerable and exposed to threats associated with 5G. To address this situation, in this paper, we summarize the state-of-the-art and derive a set of recommendations for the secure integration of 5G into industrial networks based on a thorough analysis of the research landscape. Furthermore, we identify opportunities to utilize 5G to enhance security and indicate remaining challenges, identifying future academic directions.