The release of 5G cellular data will have a significant effect on cyber attacks and cyber insurance. Cellular networks use 5G data to transmit data through your cell phone. The networks AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all have unique varieties. You’ve seen 3G, 4G, and 5G, and you may think it’s just one more number, but it’s actually not, it’s a totally different technology. 5G will provide a significant bandwidth and a small latency.
With high latency, data will be transmitted more quickly, as well as providing faster response times. This will allow 5G to connect to a wider range of devices, in addition to being able to transmit data more quickly. Your wifi connection is likely to have good latency, but your cell network may not. This is why sometimes your cell network lags when playing videos, playing games, and other media. Once 5G is available on your cell connection, you will no longer experience lag. There will be more coverage, and it will be faster.
Many devices on your network will switch from Wi-Fi or 4G cell networks to 5G when 5G is released. Cameras, doorbells, monitors, vehicle stereo systems, smart devices, and other electronic gadgets will all begin to use 5G connections.
How will 5G impact cyber security?
When you connect a device to 5G rather than your Wi-Fi network, an additional layer of risk is introduced. Your devices are currently set up so that all of your data passes through your WiFi router. Your firewall and security patches are good because everything that goes into your WiFi box is a single space that you have access to and control over. Once 5G is rolled out, all of those devices on your premise will connect directly to 5G instead of your wifi network. Meaning, that each one of these devices is technically a vector point for danger.
How to prepare for the 5G rollout
All of the devices on your premise will need to be protected because they’ll be pinging different 5G towers. The best way to begin preparing your cyber security plan is to create a census of all of the different devices in your network. Even if they’re currently connecting through wifi, if they’re set up for 4G connectivity, the transition to using 5G will be seamless and automatic. On this list, make sure to include all locations such as your home, car, and office.
There’s a lot to think about when it comes to the cybersecurity concerns that come along with the 5G launch, and it’s easy to want to avoid them and hope they don’t happen to you. Even if you don’t believe that you would care if someone hacked into your car stereo system, you should realize that cybercriminals operate in a wide variety of methods. Once they’ve broken into one device, they expand to other devices and use them as entry points to locate others. If they can locate other devices, they can infect them.
Before the 5G rollout, you should create a device census to identify all potential vector entry points. Additionally, seek advice from a cyber security expert or investigate cyber insurance as a backup. Make sure you do your research and safeguard your devices to ensure that you are ready for potential losses and are aware of the dangers of 5G with cyber security.
Looking for more information?
A cyber liability policy can help cover your business and keep you updated with industry tips like this one. Get in touch with us today to learn more about cyber liability insurance coverage, or set up a no-obligation consultation with a commercial lines expert through TelaClient.com.
