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Is 5G suitable for security-critical communication?
Representatives from politics, associations, industry and society, together with specialists in professional mobile radio, came together last week for a joint event in Berlin: The PMeV invited select guests to the first "Forum Berlin", held in the Berlin representative office of Northern German energy supplier EWE. In his role as Deputy Chairman of the PMeV Board of Directors and broadband expert, Bernhard Klinger, Vice President Business Development at Hytera Mobilfunk, took part in the evening panel discussion dedicated to topic of "Security-critical communication - what will the future bring?"
Bernhard Klinger discussed the social significance and the requirements for secure, mission-critical communication systems for safety agencies, operators of critical infrastructure and industry. Also taking part in the discussion were member of the German Bundestag Ronja Kemmer, as part of the "Digital Agenda" committee, Hartmut Ziebs, President of the German Fire Services Association, and Dirk Binding, Area Manager for Services, Infrastructure and Regional Policy of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The panel discussion also focused on 5G - the future broadband mobile radio standard - and the shared use of commercial broadband networks.
Bernhard Klinger expressed his opinion on this topic in the discussion: "Thanks to its flexibility with regard to data throughput, latency times, frequency ranges and applications, 5G is definitely suitable for PMR users. However, it is only suitable for security-critical applications when permanent availability of the network is guaranteed and the extremely stringent security standards required can be met."
According to Bernhard Klinger, the prerequisites for security-relevant, mission-critical communication fundamentally do not depend on the technology. In summary, these requirements are as follows:
- Security against eavesdropping of speech and data interception must be guaranteed: Thanks to end-to-end encryption, this will be just as achievable with 5G as it is at present in the TETRA network used by public safety organizations (BOS).
- Security against data manipulation must be ensured, i.e. access protection against external attacks - cyber security is the key word here.
- Guaranteed availability: No blocking of the network by third parties, radio coverage wherever it is required (including in rural areas), security against component failure, and sites that are secured against natural disasters and vandalism.
Bernhard Klinger takes a rather critical view of the shared use of commercial broadband networks, unless it can be guaranteed that the abovementioned requirements for security-critical networks can be met to the full extent. However, this cannot be achieved by an agreement alone, but must also be governed by legislative and regulatory measures.
This prompted Manager of the Broadband Department in the PMeV, Bernhard Klinger, to make a direct appeal to politicians during the panel discussion: "It is necessary either to provide sufficient frequencies for mission-critical, dedicated broadband networks or to take legal and administrative measures to enable shared use of public networks for security-relevant, mission-critical communication." In addition, he welcomed the current plans proposed by the Federal Network Agency to provide 100 MHz for local and regional applications in the 3.7 to 3.8 GHz range. The frequencies would then be allocated through an application procedure rather than being auctioned off. "This makes it possible for companies to develop specialist knowledge themselves and invest in their own 5G radio networks."
About the PMeV – Netzwerk sichere Kommunikation (Network for Secure Communication)
The PMeV is an association of leading providers and users of communication systems for professional mobile use. Its members include manufacturers, IT systems companies, app companies, network operators and users. The PMeV aims to further develop the PMR market in Germany. It demonstrates the significance of PMR solutions for the economy and national economy and influences the political and regulatory general conditions for the use of professional mobile radio solutions. As a leading expert agency on PMR matters in Germany, it offers a forum for this purpose, to allow for neutral, cooperative dialog with market partners, political figures, authorities and institutes, regardless of manufacturer. The PMeV also provides manufacturers, users and customers with a neutral platform for dialog in order to assess technologies and discuss the opportunities and risks associated with technical solutions and concepts. The PMeV promotes standards and plays an active role in other further development to meet the demands of the German market.
