NFV security survey in 5G networks: A three-dimensional threat taxonomy

Abstract

Fifth Generation (5G) networks aim at providing value-added services with advanced performance such as low-latency communications, high reliability, high data rates and capacity to support an increasing number of connected devices. 5G networks are enabled by an automated and flexible provisioning and management of resources and services deployed over a shared infrastructure spanning multiple sites and domains and governed by different business players. This drives towards a complex 5G ecosystem enabled by Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and promoted by multiple business collaborations which draw new threats and vulnerabilities that are yet to be explored. Thus, we explore in this survey the complexity of the 5G ecosystem and derive a 5G telecommunication business model driven by 5G enabling technologies. We use this business model to identify new attack surface and security threats introduced by multiple business collaborations supported by NFV which we overview. Further, we delineate a three dimensional threat taxonomy for NFV-based 5G networks that leverages NFV architecture and deployment use cases in light of different 5G business collaboration scenarios. Finally, we shed light on insightful future research directions towards providing enhanced security in NFV-based 5G networks.