From 5G to 6G: A Survey on Security, Privacy, and Standardization Pathways

TL;DR

This survey explores the evolution from 5G to 6G, emphasizing security and privacy challenges, risk mitigation strategies, and standardization efforts to ensure secure and private next-generation networks.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of 6G security and privacy issues, analyzing current frameworks and proposing tailored solutions and standardization pathways.

Findings

Identified key security and privacy risks in 6G networks.

Reviewed existing risk assessment frameworks and their applicability.

Highlighted the importance of standardization for secure 6G deployment.

Abstract

The vision for 6G aims to enhance network capabilities with faster data rates, near-zero latency, and higher capacity, supporting more connected devices and seamless experiences within an intelligent digital ecosystem where artificial intelligence (AI) plays a crucial role in network management and data analysis. This advancement seeks to enable immersive mixed-reality experiences, holographic communications, and smart city infrastructures. However, the expansion of 6G raises critical security and privacy concerns, such as unauthorized access and data breaches. This is due to the increased integration of IoT devices, edge computing, and AI-driven analytics. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of 6G protocols, focusing on security and privacy, identifying risks, and presenting mitigation strategies. The survey examines current risk assessment frameworks and advocates for tailored 6G solutions. We further discuss industry visions, government projects, and standardization efforts to balance technological innovation with robust security and privacy measures.