The Impact of 5G on Cyber Security: What Small Businesses Need to Know

Written By Noel Bradford

5G is here, and the marketing people want you to believe it’s the best thing since sliced bread and broadband combined. Faster speeds, lower latency, and more devices connected than ever before — what’s not to love? Well, if you’re a small business, the answer is: the cyber security risks.

Every time technology takes a giant leap forward, hackers sprint right alongside it; often faster. 5G is no exception. This new generation of connectivity brings with it not only incredible opportunities, but a Pandora’s box of fresh vulnerabilities. And if your business isn’t prepared, you’re not just getting left behind; you’re leaving the digital door wide open.

Why is 5G a Security Headache?

Let’s start with the obvious. 5G connects more devices than ever before. Your office printers, smart speakers, CCTV cameras, and even the coffee machine might all be chatting happily away on your network. More devices mean more entry points for cyber criminals to exploit. It’s like throwing a party and forgetting who you actually invited.

And then there’s speed. 5G allows data to move at breakneck pace, which is fantastic when you’re downloading cat videos but terrifying when malware spreads faster than you can say "ransomware". In a 5G world, cyber attacks don’t just happen faster they happen much faster.

Even better, 5G infrastructure relies heavily on virtualised and software-defined networks. That’s a fancy way of saying a lot of the hardware you used to physically secure is now just code. And guess what’s easier to hack: a locked server room or some lines of software running who-knows-where?

So What Can Small Businesses Do?

Step one: understand that 5G is here, whether you like it or not. Even if you don’t switch immediately, your suppliers, partners, and customers will. Your business can’t afford to pretend this isn’t happening.

Step two: map your risk. Know exactly what devices are connected to your network, what data they handle, and what’s at stake if they get compromised. Spoiler alert: it’s probably a lot more than you think.

Step three: embrace encryption. Every bit of data that flows through your network should be encrypted. Whether it’s customer records, supplier contracts, or Dave’s questionable lunchtime browsing, encrypt it.

Step four: segment your network. Not everything needs access to everything else. Keep critical systems isolated from the guest Wi-Fi and the coffee machine. If a hacker breaks into the smart fridge, they shouldn’t be able to reach your accounting system.

Step five: update your incident response plan. Attacks in a 5G environment happen fast, so your response needs to be faster. Practice simulated breaches and make sure everyone knows their role when the inevitable happens.

Step six: stay informed. The security landscape is changing at 5G speed too. Make sure your business keeps up with evolving threats, emerging best practices, and new tools designed specifically for the 5G era.

5G isn’t just a faster version of 4G — it’s an entirely different beast. Businesses that treat it like a simple upgrade are in for a nasty surprise. But businesses that understand the risks, adapt their security strategies, and embrace the opportunity could find themselves not just surviving, but thriving in the 5G future.

In summary? 5G is exciting, terrifying, and inevitable. Treat it with respect, prepare for the risks, and maybe, just maybe, your business will be one of the smart ones who gets ahead — rather than becoming the next cautionary tale.

Sources

NCSC - 5G Security Guidance https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/5g-security-guidance
TechRadar - 5G and Cybersecurity https://www.techradar.com/news/why-5g-is-a-cybersecurity-nightmare-and-how-to-protect-your-business
Forbes - What 5G Means for Cybersecurity https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/12/03/what-5g-means-for-cybersecurity/
ZDNet - Small Business 5G Security Tips https://www.zdnet.com/article/how-small-businesses-can-secure-their-5g-networks/
Cyber Essentials - 5G and SMEs https://www.cyberessentials.org/5g-and-cybersecurity-for-small-businesses/

Noel Bradford

Noel Bradford – Head of Technology at Equate Group, Professional Bullshit Detector, and Full-Time IT Cynic

As Head of Technology at Equate Group, my job description is technically “keeping the lights on,” but in reality, it’s more like “stopping people from setting their own house on fire.” With over 40 years in tech, I’ve seen every IT horror story imaginable—most of them self-inflicted by people who think cybersecurity is just installing antivirus and praying to Saint Norton.

I specialise in cybersecurity for UK businesses, which usually means explaining the difference between ‘MFA’ and ‘WTF’ to directors who still write their passwords on Post-it notes. On Tuesdays, I also help further education colleges navigate Cyber Essentials certification, a process so unnecessarily painful it makes root canal surgery look fun.

My natural habitat? Server rooms held together with zip ties and misplaced optimism, where every cable run is a “temporary fix” from 2012. My mortal enemies? Unmanaged switches, backups that only exist in someone’s imagination, and users who think clicking “Enable Macros” is just fine because it makes the spreadsheet work.

I’m blunt, sarcastic, and genuinely allergic to bullshit. If you want gentle hand-holding and reassuring corporate waffle, you’re in the wrong place. If you want someone who’ll fix your IT, tell you exactly why it broke, and throw in some unsolicited life advice, I’m your man.

Technology isn’t hard. People make it hard. And they make me drink.

https://noelbradford.com
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