Open RAN Security: Here's What You Need to Know — Good and Bad

Most analysts believe Open RAN (Radio Access Network) is an exciting concept, one that opens up several doors to innovation, improved network performance, and a more diverse and competitive cyber ecosystem.

Open RAN standards are?freely accessible to all third-party software developers, who can develop new types of services and innovate on the RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) by building xApps and rApps. This enables telcos to make their networks a much more relevant resource for both enterprise and consumer applications.

The bad news, by design, Open Ran security is vulnerable. Open RAN security potential concerns, includes:

• A larger attack surface
• Increased risk of misconfiguration
• Risk of impact on other network functions due to resource sharing
• Immature specifications that are not secure by design

On the other side of the Open RAN security issue, other experts believe there actually are security benefits to Open RAN. For example, in an open RAN, network software is less interdependent on hardware, reducing the risk associated with upgrades or isolated security breaches.

In addition, the enhanced modularity available with open interfaces makes it easier for operators to move toward a continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) operating model. This enables the seamless and effective patch management needed to fix any security vulnerability found in open RAN.

In an open RAN, discrete software updates can be more transparent and less impactful on the overall network than software updates in a traditional network.

The O-RAN Alliance has specified open interfaces, thereby lowering security risk through standardization. In an open architecture, operators have more interfaces available to monitor, which can help detect incongruencies and enhance security.

Operators that avoid vendor lock-in by choosing open RAN will also be better-positioned to leverage new security capabilities as they are developed.?

Want to learn more? Tonex offers Open Ran Security Fundamentals, a 2-day course that provides a solid introduction to Radio Access Network (RAN), Open RAN 101, O-RAN architecture, virtualization, O-RAN security features, O-RAN vulnerabilities and operation and deployment security options.

Additionally, open RAN Security Fundamentals covers the security of disaggregated and open RAN architectures: all aspects of?interoperability of open hardware, software, and interfaces for cellular wireless networks.

For more information, questions, comments, contact us.