Imagine lightning-fast multi-Gbps peak data speeds, zero latency, enormous network capacity, and a uniform user experience regardless of the physical location of your device. Thanks to the 5G wireless technology, this fantasy of avid data consumers is on the verge of turning into a full-fledged reality as 5G compatible devices slowly make their way into the mainstream markets. The 5G spectrum covers a massive swatch of radio frequencies and operates at a frequency of about 28 GHz compared to its predecessor – the 4G network, which runs between 700-2500 MHz only. The 5G network is also designed to deliver peak data rates of up to 20 Gbps based on the IMT-2020 requirements and has the potential to leap into a new spectrum, such as the mmWave to provide extremely high network capacity. However, as promising as it sounds, the prospects of mass adoption of 5G poses the looming threat of an unprotected infrastructure coupled with new-fangled cybersecurity risks. To curtail these issues, the 5G Clean Network initiative was recently shaped into existence by the U.S. Department of State.
In the next section, let us shed some light on the history and background of the 5G Clean Network.
History and Background of the 5G Clean Network
To safeguard the data assets of citizens worldwide and cloud pipelines of the US from the potential threats of 5G, the U.S. Department of State announced The Clean Network Initiative on April 29, 2019. This initiative encourages a global digital alliance whereby member countries accept digital trust standards and abide by them, while the non-trustworthy telecommunication providers are excluded from this list. This is done to safeguard illegal intrusions from malicious actors such as the Chinese Communist Party and its surveillance and data collection tools including Huawei and ZTE, which are their most prominent network equipment developers.
The main premise behind a Clean 5G network is to create a network that is pristine from top to bottom – from clean telco equipment, clean stores, apps, clouds to clean cables including the under-sea cables interconnecting the global world. Per the Department of State, certain Chinese communist apps threaten American democracy by infiltrating viruses, trample on privacy laws, censor content, and propagate misinformation. By blocking access to these apps, adversaries will not be able to lay their hands-on military secrets and valuable research information. Per this clean initiative, all 5G network traffic entering and exiting the U.S. will have to follow a clean path. This path is an end-to-end communication path that does not make use of any computing, transmission, control, or storage equipment from untrusted IT providers including Huawei and ZTE. Many trusted nations were encouraged to join this initiative by the US, and they obliged. Key examples include countries like the United Kingdom, Sweden, Czech Republic, Estonia, Romania, Denmark, Latvia, Greece, and Brazil. Many large telecommunication organizations are also turning “clean” including Orange in France and Jio in India, Telstra in Australia, etc.
On the same token, this initiative of safeguarding the 5G network brings into limelight the competition between China and the U.S. in terms of the development of the 5G wireless network. Despite many earlier forecasts declaring China’s lead over the US in creating the 5G space, U.S has now gained momentum. According to Christopher Krebs, the director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, there is no doubt that the U.S. will win this race of 5G dominance. At a panel at ACT-IAC’s annual ELC conference, he said: “We really own the cloud space. So we should be able to have that next generation of technology that is going to be just built on top of cloud to get us the diversity in an open, competitive global market of trustworthy, dependable componentry.”
In the next section, let us look at a new startup that is standing tall to the 5G Clean Network challenge.
How Exium is Standing Up to the 5G Clean Network Challenge
Exium, an American full-stack cybersecurity and 5G clean networking organization was launched with one goal in mind – to meet the increasingly demanding end-to-end security standards of communications set forth by the the US, EU and other freedom-loving nations. On January 4th, 2021, Exium premiered its robust 5G clean network as a service that guarantees secure end-to-end connectivity between virtually any device on the cloud. Exium’s 5G network service is built on an open, programmable, reliable, and software-driven Intelligent Cybersecurity Mesh™ that is obscured from the public internet yet connects anything, anywhere with end-to-end encryption to mitigate a variety of threats.
In keeping up with its pledge of security, Exium’s network and cloud security platforms are rooted in internationally accepted digital trust standards such as the Criteria for Security and Trust in Telecommunications Networks and Services developed by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) – Working Group on Trust and Security in 5G Networks, the Prague Proposals, and the European Union’s 5G Toolbox. Boasting internationally acclaimed digital trust standards with secure end-to-end communication paths that stay clear of any transmission, control, computing, or storage equipment from untrusted IT vendors, Exium is quickly becoming one of the leading providers of optimized security on the cloud. The company stands out from the crowd by providing all services on home-grown clean hardware, clean software, and cloud-based systems that are exclusively operated by US companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google (FedRAMP certified).
However, Exium’s barrage of security and meeting of digital trust standards does not end here. To further extend safety and security for its clean network customers, Exium incorporates the hardware-root-of-trust in all its offerings. If we examine the Apple products, hardware security is only offered for some of its services like biometric data, for Face or Touch ID, as well as Apple Play data. However, Exium extends hardware security to all applications and cloud services. By providing high-grade encryption that is deeply rooted in hardware, Exium ensures that every single bit of data transmitted over the network is protected and secured.
According to Farooq Khan, the CEO of Exium:
“There are considerable rewards for successful 5G leadership. There is a huge opportunity in the 5G rollout process that is considered fluid. For example, in 2019, the U.S. government banned the use of any 5G technology developed by Huawei. Later, many other Western nations followed suit, worried that the Chinese government can use Huawei equipment to spy on their sensitive networks. The Department of Commerce singled out Huawei on its list of companies considered as high risk to U.S. national security. These sanctions prohibit Huawei from selling to U.S. companies and highlight the apparent shortage of American firms that might fill the void. These are the urgent national security and societal technology problems we solve.”
Now let us shed some light on Exium’s revolutionary 5G Open Core network in the next section.
Understanding Exium’s 5G Open Core
Exium’s 5G Open Core is truly intended for private 5G deployments that facilitate enterprise and industrial automation. This not only gives customers an edge with a revolutionary and fully managed cloud-based 5G network but also reshapes mobile experiences leading to smarter manufacturing opportunities and cleaner energy. Exium’s 5G Open Core is a glance into the future which will connect smart cities, transform the automotive industry, and elevate the construction and mining applications.
Let us now briefly glance over the unsurpassed benefits and opportunities offered by Exium’s Cloud-Scale 5G Clean network services:
Unmatched Security and Performance
The Exium’s 5G Clean network can now propel and launch business-critical and mission-critical services safely via the 5G New Radio (NR) deployments in the new clean wireless spectrum.
Plug and Play 5G Radios
Using 5G radio and concerned about eavesdropping? Leave your worries behind as 5G radios can automatically discover the Exium 5G core to provide you with unsurpassed management, control, cybersecurity, and network acceleration services.
Maintain Data Ownership
Exium offers the best of both worlds when it comes to 5G networks. You can enjoy full control over your data through a personalized and fully catered network while still reaping the benefits of a highly reliable carrier-grade 5G coverage and performance.
Automatic eSIM activation
Exium’s cloud-based eSIM (embedded SIM) provisioning and activation technology can onboard users and devices within a matter of minutes.
Ultra-low latency services
Businesses can take full advantage of Exium’s native edge 5G computing capabilities to deliver local and customized services for profound user experiences and real-time industrial control applications.
Converged 5G/ Wi-Fi
If you are looking to incorporate both your 5G and Wi-Fi assets, then you are in the right place. Exium will help you leverage both access networks for additional reliability, endless mobility, and application-aware traffic routing and splitting.
Conclusion
Envisioning a world with zero lag, no buffering, consistent data streaming on devices, and superb cell phone coverage is not farfetched from reality anymore, thanks to the 5th generation of wireless technology. The US Department of State’s 5G Clean Network initiative is further elevating this technology to the next level by ensuring that the global infrastructures are equipped to tackle the potential security concerns that might arise with the mass adoption of 5G. To accelerate the progress of this goal, many U.S based companies are working per the digital trust standards set forth by this initiative. A budding startup, Exium, is illuminating the path to clean 5G by offering an open, programmable, reliable, and software-driven Intelligent Cybersecurity Mesh that can connect anything, anywhere with superior end-to-end encryption capabilities.
So, what are you waiting for? Take the suspicion and guesswork out of your 5G network and let Exium secure it for you!