6G is coming, ready or not - are we prepared for the next generation of security challenges?

It may feel like 5G has still not delivered its promised potential, and it is true that many more complex features are only being rolled out now with the release of ‘5G-Advanced’ standards. However, work has already started on research and development for the next generation of mobile networks – 6G – with initial deployments expected to start around 2030.

As telecommunication networks become more advanced, and more tightly integrated with processing and sensing devices, new challenges will arise in ensuring the security and privacy of future communications. Examples include the need for tighter integration between infrastructure from different service providers to provide ubiquitous connectivity, as well as the fact that such networks will be used for a broader range of critical applications.

In this talk we will review the expected features of 6G and the current status and plans for its development. We will then discuss the new technologies that are likely to be used, as well as applications and use cases, and analyse the potential risks and opportunities for security and privacy that arise. The talk will conclude with suggestions for the highest priority activities that should be considered now to learn the lessons from previous generations of mobile connectivity and ensure that 6G will be, as much as possible, secure by design.