Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Security
  • /
  • UK industry experts to address 5G security challenges

Security

UK industry experts to address 5G security challenges

The security and resilience of 5G networks is of paramount importance to the UK, so in response to the country's evolving telecoms security policies and lessons learned from the 5G Testbeds and Trials Programme, the UK5G Testbed & Trials Working Group have launched a Security-Sub Group to address 5G security challenges.


Courtesy QinetiQ

Paul Beastall, Head of Strategy for Cambridge Consultants and UK5G Advisory Board Member is Chair of the Testbed & Trials Working Group. He explained why the Sub-Group is important: "We see the 5G Testbeds and Trials testing use cases that involve both mission critical data (such as between high speed vehicles or factory machines) and personally sensitive data (such as in a health or social care setting), highlighting how 5G solutions will need to have security at the heart of their design. I am delighted that we are able to build on the great capability and expertise within the UK to ensure that we are able to develop and prove security best practice alongside high value use cases that will deliver value to end users."

Advertisement
ODU RT

A very strong field of candidates put themselves forwards, confirming security as a particular strength of the community in the UK. It has been announced that Mark Hawkins, QinetiQ Fellow and 5G Technical Lead, will Chair the Security Sub-Group and work alongside the following members to provide guidance to UK testbeds as they develop and test their respective security principles and policies.

  • Woon Hau Chin: Toshiba Research Europe
  • Stephen Douglas: Spirent Communications
  • Tracey Sheehan: Utility Technology Council
  • Francesca Serravalle: Colt Technology Services
  • Mark Shepherd: National Technical Assistance Centre (NTAC)
  • Adrian M: National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)
  • Anas Tawileh: Systematics Consulting Inc
  • Saj Huq: Plexal (LORCA)
  • Ciara Mitchell: ScotlandIS
  • David  Cuckow: British Standards Institution (BSI)
  • Darwin Darwin: CGI
  • Greig Paul: University of Strathclyde
  • Mike Lee: Ofcom

Mark Hawkins said: "I am excited about the launch of the UK5G Security Sub-Group, and look forward to chairing the new group. We have a strong team of people from across government, industry and academia with a broad range of expertise covering security, 5G, standards, regulation, research and use cases. This group can significantly contribute to the collaborative challenge of making security a key enabler for realising the benefits of 5G use cases."

The Security Sub-Group, along with consortia teams and UK5G’s associate partners, will identify security gaps, solve security problems and showcase good end-to-end security practices. Ultimately, we hope this will supercharge the newly formed 5G testbeds, lead to higher confidence in 5G networks and support the rollout of 5G in the UK.
 

Advertisement
ODU RT

Terms of Reference relating to the Sub-Group can be viewed here

 

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Digital Twin solutions set to deliver on UK-wide industrial transformation

Aerospace Defence Security

Digital Twin solutions set to deliver on UK-wide industrial transformation

24 June 2026

Digital Catapult has concluded its inaugural Digital Twin Adoption Accelerator which showcased cutting-edge digital twin solutions developed by nine small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the UK.

Met to introduce LFR across London

Security

Met to introduce LFR across London's West End

23 June 2026

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has an ambitious plan to rollout the use of static Live Facial Recognition (LFR) cameras across London's West End by the end of the year, building on the success of a pioneering pilot in Croydon.

ADS appoints Matthew Reynolds as CIO

Aerospace Defence Security Space Events

ADS appoints Matthew Reynolds as CIO

19 June 2026

ADS Group - parent organisation of trade association ADS and Farnborough International - has appointed Matthew Reynolds as its Chief Information Officer (CIO).

Cyber security tech licensed by UK Government for global markets

Security

Cyber security tech licensed by UK Government for global markets

19 June 2026

The Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT), supported by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), has licensed SilentGlass - a plug-and-play cyber security device that actively blocks any unexpected or malicious HDMI and Display Port connections - to UK firm Goldilock Labs for global use.

Advertisement
ODU RT
QinetiQ joins UK Quantum Growth Alliance

Defence Security

QinetiQ joins UK Quantum Growth Alliance

17 June 2026

QinetiQ has been invited to join the UK Quantum Growth Alliance, a new government–industry partnership bringing together senior representatives from leading British companies to accelerate the adoption of quantum technologies across the UK.

Avon Protection introduces short-duration CBRN CS-PAPR

Defence Security Events

Avon Protection introduces short-duration CBRN CS-PAPR

16 June 2026

Avon Protection has introduced its Combination System Powered Air Purifying Respirator (CS-PAPR), a new short duration (SD) breathing apparatus option of their Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) for integration with a Combination Respirator Unit (CRU).

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner