SK Telecom, Thales jointly strengthen 5G security

South Korea's SK Telecom Co. announced on Tuesday that it collaborated with global data security company Thales for 5G security.

According to the company, they developed subscriber identity module (SIM)-network authentication technology using post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and successfully integrated it with a 5G test network.

SKT is applying various technologies such as quantum key distribution (QKD), PQC, and quantum random number generators (QRNG) to devices and communication networks in preparation for the threat posed to existing security systems by the advancement of quantum computing.

This technical test involved applying a PQC algorithm for encryption and key exchange to the SIM and 5G authentication system, and testing it on a 5G test network, in partnership with Thales.

SKT reported that during this technical test, operations such as registration, authentication, and call reception were successfully conducted with the PQC algorithm, just as they are with existing security systems.

Additionally, SKT and Thales have also developed the PQC algorithm used in this test as an application programming interface (API), laying the groundwork for its future application not only in network authentication but also in services requiring high-level security such as M2M/IoT.

SKT plans to secure differentiated solutions for network security based on quantum cryptography, QRNG, and PQC that have been developed and commercialized thus far, and lead the global network security standardization in the areas of 5G-advanced, 6G, and IoT evolution in the future.

Write to Seung-woo Lee at leeswoo@hankyung.com