A new defence system, named TwinGuard, has been developed by researchers at the University of Surrey to protect evolving mobile networks, particularly during the shift to 6G technology. This framework employs artificial intelligence to identify and counter cyber threats targeting 5G networks in under 100 milliseconds, addressing the rising cybersecurity challenges in the telecommunications sector.
As 5G networks move towards more open architectures, they become more susceptible to cyber threats due to the increased number of access points. Traditional security methods often fail to adapt to the rapidly changing nature of cyber attacks, which is where TwinGuard stands out. By utilizing a digital twin of the network, it creates a real-time virtual model that allows for constant monitoring and anomaly detection.
In tests conducted in two realistic 5G environments, including a multi-cell Open Radio Access Network and a virtual 5G core network based on OpenAirInterface, TwinGuard demonstrated its effectiveness by successfully thwarting simulated attacks in less than a tenth of a second. Scenarios tested included handover flooding and E2 subscription flooding attacks, showcasing TwinGuard's agility in responding to malicious activities.