Page 11 - EngineerIT December 2022

COMMUNICATION

artificial intelligence (AI), virtual and
augmented reality, advanced analytics,
and robotics will be boosted by 5G’s
enhanced reach, speed, and reliability.
All this could enable global economic
output of $13.2trn by 2035, say
researchers at IHS Markit. 2

All sectors could be affected –
virtually
5G is going to enable the advancement
of technological applications across
almost all sectors. These developments
represent significant opportunities for
the tech, media and telecoms sector.
By 2035, it is believed the global 5G
value chain – such as the network
operators, application developers,
technology providers, and equipment
manufacturers – could create $3.6trn
in economic output and support
22.3mn jobs. 3

High dependencies create
high risks
As well as unlocking vast potential, the
5G rollout will introduce significant
new risks, meaning the risk profile
of companies using or providing
5G goods and services will change.
Businesses will have to adapt to an
ongoing technological revolution which
presents many unknowns. Unforeseen
consequences, real or perceived, are
a hazard – as was seen in January
2022, when concerns over the effects
of 5G technology on aviation systems magnifies the issue of supply chain security and business interruption losses should
disrupted airlines in the US, or in April something go wrong.
2020, when conspiracy theorists in The high dependencies in the overall concept, from the companies that provide the
the UK vandalised phone masts in the 5G-enabled technological solutions to those that buy and use them, is the critical issue
mistaken belief they were linked to the here. One of the most important features of 5G, with its speed and low latency, is that
Covid-19 outbreak. it offers solutions in real time, 24/7. So if there’s any interruption in the chain it could
Unlike previous generations, the have a direct impact on the processes that follow, not only for a specific client, but
5G network will be a software defined potentially on a regional or even global level.
network and ‘virtualised’, meaning These solutions could be deployed in mission-critical systems within first response
many functions that once relied on services, transport, healthcare, and energy provision, where low latency or interference
hardware will now be virtual software could have near-instant knock-on effects, with catastrophic consequences.
capabilities, with attendant software-
related security issues. As the number What businesses need to consider
of interconnected devices, networks, Businesses will need to ask whether the speed of the rollout correlates to their security
services, and mobile data increases, so measures. If you’re a provider, what procedures are in place to ensure the stability of
will the potential attack surface. your systems and services? Issues such as connectivity, identity and access management,
The interconnected nature of the and device locations all come into play. Risk management will need to centre around the
5G network, with its infrastructure, availability, security and integrity of all systems because an interruption could not only
service providers and users, also result in financial losses for your business but also reputational damage.

EngineerIT | December 2022 | 11