5G Security Improves

Energy companies have been dabbling with 5G networks because they are well suited to mobile deployments. These networks were designed to support edge computing and are efficient when energy companies deploy applications for mobile field service teams and remote office workers. However, security has been one area where the solutions have has a spotty record. Recent advances have tightened up potential holes, making the technology even more attractive.

Edge computing completes select processing between end points and an energy company’s data center. The design lightens the utility network traffic load and improves response times.

But new technologies often lack robust security features, and 5G is no exception to that axiom. The architecture opens up new security holes because it divides processing chores among a number of different systems.

XDR Fills Security Gaps

Network security has been improving. One recent advance is Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solutions. They go beyond traditional Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) by integrating and correlating data from many sources: endpoints, networks, and cloud. Consequently, they provide advanced threat detection across multiple layers of an energy organization's computing infrastructure. With the information, utilities gain more visibility into system performance, better understand where potential problems may originate, and address potential problems proactively. Consequently, global technology intelligence firm ABI Research, expects the 5G Network Security market to reach $21 billion in revenue in 2027.

5G technology fits well with emerging energy company edge applications. Its security has been lackluster but recently received a boost from XDR security products. Consequently, energy companies are expected to move from interest in 5G to more deployments for their mobile workers in the coming years.