Classification of 5G core network assets for cyber-risk management

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master_Hassaan_Muhammad_2025.pdf (1.14 MB)

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School of Electrical Engineering | Master's thesis
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Date

2025-05-28

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Major/Subject

Communications Engineering

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Degree programme

Master's Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences

Language

en

Pages

80

Series

Abstract

The 5G Core Network is a combination of several microservices that are interconnected to provide user authentication, mobility management, session management, network slicing, and seamless connectivity to support a diverse range of communication needs across industries and use cases. Like other cyber systems, the 5G Core Network is also susceptible to cyber vulnerabilities and threats. There are several frameworks to rank the vulnerabilities however a structured framework to classify and rank the relative importance of the assets of 5G Core Network is absent. The present study formulates a framework for the classification and ranking of the 3GPP 5G Core Network Functions based on their Operational Impact and Threat Exposure to assist cybersecurity teams in allocation of resources in the event of a cyber-threat. The thesis aims to answer the key question that how can the individual elements of the 5G Core Network be evaluated in terms of their operational and security importance. The thesis utilizes guidelines from industry standards, 3GPP specification documents and expert judgment to arrive at the intended framework and classification. The resulting framework provided a clear, distinct and justifiable ranking of the 5G Core Network Functions.

Description

Supervisor

Manner, Jukka

Thesis advisor

Korhonen, Kaisa

Keywords

3GPP, URLLC, core network, network functions, cybersecurity, assets

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202508196324

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[dipl] Sähkötekniikan korkeakoulu / ELEC