Verizon detailed some of its 5G network security work on Thursday. Verizon said network security engineers are experimenting with artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in machine learning, network accelerators, data "fingerprints", and connected vehicle security. This is part of an effort to protect the 5G network from potential threats in the future.
"In all aspects of our network, from the core of the network to wireless access to the customer device, we have built our network to be secure," said Srini Kalapala, Verizon's vice president of network planning. "We will not compromise when it comes to the security of our network and our customers' data."
For more of that
Subscribe to the mobile newsletter, receive notifications and see related articles on CNET.
When it comes to AI and machine learning, Verizon wants to develop a security framework that would review the information fed into its algorithms and manage how the information is used - for example, to detect security anomalies and analyze cell tower performance.
Verizon's network accelerators then help protect security features that cannot be virtualized in the cloud. Verizon engineers are working with the University of California at Santa Barbara to combine firewall and intrusion detection system solutions for machine learning into a single whitebox accelerator.
Continue reading: Verizon vs. AT&T vs. T-Mobile in comparison: How to choose the best 5G carrier for youThe integrity of the machine health would accelerate the detection of a security breach. Verizon is working with Guardtime to create near real-time by using and storing "cryptographically secure functions for digitally fingerprinting data" the blockchain.
"By comparing fingerprints stored on the blockchain with fingerprints taken during or after a cyber attack, companies can more quickly and easily determine whether the integrity of their data has been compromised," said Verizon. This will better protect Verizon's cell towers and cloud servers.
Finally, Verizon's 5G security system for connected vehicles, the so-called Secure Credentialing Management System, secures the connections between vehicles, road infrastructure, other road users and cloud services. Working with LG, Verizon engineers have successfully tested basic security messages hosted on the Verizon 5G network.
Verizon has launched its 5G network in 35 cities in the US so far, although it is only available in certain parts of those cities. Verizon uses a high-band millimeter wave spectrum for its 5G network, which is high-speed but limited to short distances and blocked by solid obstacles such as buildings and trees.
You can view Verizon's 5G coverage map here.