A Strategic Overview of 5G/6G Networks: Implications for 6G Security

Abstract

The imminent arrival of the sixth generation (6G) wireless communication technology necessitates a proactive approach to understanding and mitigating emerging cybersecurity risks. This paper offers a strategic analysis of 5G and 6G networks, highlighting critical vulnerabilities within the 6G ecosystem. Examining existing literature from 2020 to 2024, critical threats, including impersonation, privacy breaches, adversarial artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum attacks, are identified and mapped to specific 6G use cases. The mapped use cases include integrated sensing and communication, immersive communication, and hyper-reliable and low-latency communication (HRLLC). The study underscores the need for context-aware and adaptive security frameworks to safeguard the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of 6G networks.