ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has released comprehensive 5G security guidelines as the country prepares for the launch of next-generation mobile services. Developed by the PTA’s Cyber Security Directorate, the 2025 framework positions 5G security as a matter of national security, economic resilience, and public safety, reflecting the technology’s role in powering smart cities, industrial automation, digital healthcare, and e-government services.
The guidelines introduce advanced technical safeguards, including Subscription Concealed Identifier (SUCI) encryption to prevent subscriber identity tracking, home-network-controlled authentication to reduce fraud, and the use of mutual TLS and OAuth 2.0 to secure 5G core network APIs. Operators must also deploy Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) mechanisms to protect roaming interfaces and adopt a Zero Trust security model across core, transport, and edge networks.
To address emerging risks, telecom operators are required to implement AI-driven anomaly detection, enforce strict network slicing isolation, secure edge computing nodes, and integrate all network domains with Security Operations Centre (SOC) and SIEM platforms. The guidelines identify IoT devices as a major threat vector, mandating secure boot processes, firmware integrity checks, tamper-resistant hardware, and AKMA-based authentication.
Beyond cyber controls, the PTA framework also covers physical security, insider threat mitigation, supply chain risk management, and mandatory third-party security audits. By embedding security into network architecture, operations, and governance, the regulator aims to ensure that Pakistan’s 5G rollout is robust, trusted internationally, and capable of safely supporting mission-critical national services.
