On Wednesday 11 May, EU Member States published a report on the cybersecurity of open Radio Access Networks (RANs), a new type of 5G network architecture.
In specific terms, the report concluded that RAN could bring security benefits, if several conditions were to be met. In fact, the report points to the lack of maturity of these networks.
Furthermore, the paper notes that the technical specifications, such as those developed, are neither sufficiently mature nor secure enough in their design.
“Our joint priority and responsibility is to ensure the timely deployment of 5G networks in Europe, while ensuring that they are secure. ‘Open RAN’ architectures create new opportunities in the market, but today’s report shows that they also pose significant security challenges, especially in the short term. It will be important that all participants devote sufficient time and attention to mitigating these problems so that the promises of ‘Open RAN’ can become a reality”, said Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age, Margrethe Vestager. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)