Private 5G: NTT Data & Palo Alto Networks Revamp Security

As industries accelerate digital transformations, the emergence of private 5G networks is proving essential.

These networks not only provide the necessary speed, reliability and low latency for advanced applications across sectors like manufacturing, logistics and utilities but also introduce significant security challenges.

However, the blend of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) creates vulnerabilities where these once separate arenas now converge.

While IT networks have long benefited from robust security measures, OT environments, which oversee physical processes and machinery, often operate on outdated systems not originally designed to prioritize cybersecurity.

This oversight has made them a prime target for malicious attacks aimed at disrupting critical infrastructure.

In response, NTT Data has teamed up with Palo Alto Networks to introduce a managed security service tailored for private 5G networks within industrial and operational technology settings.

Enhancing security through advanced technology

NTT Data’s collaboration with Palo Alto Networks leverages the latter’s Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) and OT/IOT subscriptions, integrated into NTT Data's Private 5G architecture – which facilitates enhanced visibility and security capabilities essential for protecting operational technology environments.

The service offers several key benefits:

Real-time visibility
Enterprises receive detailed insights into encrypted Data traffic and communication patterns from connected devices.

Device profiling
Utilising machine learning algorithms, the service can identify and assess IoT and OT devices based on their behaviour and associated risks.

Zero trust security
This model enforces stringent access controls, ensuring only verified devices and applications can operate within the network.

Automated threat detection
Advanced AI tools promptly detect and address potential security threats, enhancing overall network resilience.

Offered as a ready-to-launch managed service, this solution aims to provide businesses with the necessary tools to securely manage their OT environments, where traditional IT systems converge with industrial processes.

Tackling the visibility challenge in private 5G

Private 5G networks, crucial for sectors like manufacturing, healthcare and transportation, offer controlled connectivity infrastructures that support Data-intensive applications at the edge — where Data generation and processing occur.

However, despite their in-built security measures, like end-to-end encryption, these networks are not without their challenges.

Encryption can obscure network monitoring, making it difficult for security teams to keep tabs on device activities and identify potential threats.

The 2024 State of OT Security report by Palo Alto Networks and ABI Research highlights these issues:

• 70% of industrial organisations reported cyberattacks on their OT systems over the past year
• Nearly 25% experienced significant disruptions leading to operational downtimes and compromised business continuity

Nonetheless, the Zero Trust security approach advocated by Palo Alto Networks can significantly mitigate these risks by necessitating continuous verification and strictly allowing necessary connections – which minimises vulnerable touchpoints within the network.

Shahid Ahmed, Group Executive Vice President of Edge Services at NTT Data, says: “NTT Data and Palo Alto Networks are creating a new standard for private 5G security and changing what's possible for industrial connectivity.”

Security solutions spanning across various sectors

With the rapid rise in Internet of Things and OT devices, sectors worldwide are experiencing an enlarged attack surface, necessitating comprehensive security solutions.

This service seamlessly integrates into existing IT/OT infrastructures, empowering organisations to maintain rigorous security while fostering innovation.

Anand Oswal, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Network Security at Palo Alto Networks, says: “Through our partnership with NTT Data, we are enabling enterprises to fast-track their digital transformation with confidence by securing their networks and protecting critical Data.”

This extensive security coverage allows manufacturers to monitor device activities and tackle risks in real time, while energy firms safeguard essential systems and transportation providers ensure continuous operational viability.

Alejandro Cadenas, Associate Vice President at IDC, sums up the increasing emphasis on intrinsic network security: “Companies still see security as an add on when it needs to be built into the initial design of the network.

“This is where Private 5G with its inherent security features and advanced measures are making security an integral part of the network.”

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