5G Security Market - Global Forecast 2025-2030

The 5G Security Market size was estimated at USD 5.26 billion in 2024 and expected to reach USD 7.47 billion in 2025, at a CAGR 39.99% to reach USD 39.66 billion by 2030.

5G technology is setting the stage for transformative connectivity, enabling ultra-low latency applications, massive IoT deployments, and AI-driven services across industries. As service providers and enterprises race to leverage these capabilities, the attack surface expands dramatically. An estimated 27 billion IoT devices will be connected by 2025, amplifying the potential entry points for malicious actors and underscoring the urgent need for robust security frameworks to safeguard data, privacy, and critical infrastructure.

The architectural evolution of 5G, characterized by network slicing, virtualization, and edge computing, introduces new complexity that traditional perimeter-based security models cannot address effectively. Zero-trust paradigms, which assume no implicit trust in any user or device, and AI-powered threat detection systems are emerging as essential pillars of a modern security posture. The integration of machine learning algorithms to monitor network traffic for anomalies and the deployment of post-quantum cryptographic mechanisms, such as NIST-approved PQC SIM modules, are gaining traction as preemptive measures against next-generation threats.

Moreover, the strategic integration of robust security measures is increasingly viewed as a competitive differentiator, with regulators mandating secure-by-design principles and tailored compliance frameworks. In Europe, the Cyber Resilience Act sets stringent requirements for networked devices, while U.S. agencies such as the FCC enforce supply chain security standards, compelling operators to verify the provenance of equipment and software. These converging forces underscore the imperative for security to be an integral component of 5G architecture from inception to operations.

This executive summary distills the key drivers, market segmentation nuances, regional dynamics, and competitive landscape shaping the 5G security domain. It examines the specific impacts of newly enacted U.S. tariffs on 5G components, offers actionable recommendations for industry leaders, and outlines the rigorous research methodology employed. Readers will gain a comprehensive understanding of how to navigate the complex security landscape and capitalize on opportunities for resilient, future-proof 5G deployments.

The transition to zero-trust security models is reshaping how organizations defend 5G networks by eliminating implicit trust and enforcing continuous verification of every access request. This approach, which emphasizes micro-segmentation, identity-centric controls, and rigorous policy enforcement, is critical given the distributed nature of virtualized network functions. Gartner projects that by 2025, 60 percent of critical infrastructure organizations will mandate Software Bills of Materials to maintain transparency in software supply chains and mitigate vulnerabilities arising from compromised or counterfeit components.

Simultaneously, AI and machine learning have emerged as powerful enablers of real-time threat detection and autonomous response mechanisms. By analyzing massive volumes of network telemetry, these systems can identify anomalies indicative of malicious behavior, such as lateral movement or zero-day exploits, and initiate automated remediation workflows. Furthermore, the marriage of AI-driven analytics with 5G network slicing allows for customized security policies per slice, ensuring tailored defenses for diverse use cases, from mission-critical industrial applications to consumer broadband services.

As edge computing becomes integral to 5G ecosystems, securing data and applications at the network periphery has become paramount. Unified platforms that integrate network management with security functions, typified by Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) frameworks and Zero-Trust Network Access, provide cohesive protection across distributed edge nodes. This convergence not only reduces operational complexity but also maintains consistent security posture for remote workers, IoT endpoints, and micro-services deployed outside traditional datacenters.

Device-to-cloud attestation and Software Bill of Materials mandates are being codified in contracts and legislation, such as mandatory SBOM requirements for U.S. Department of Defense procurements and European Cyber Resilience Act guidelines. By enforcing detailed component inventories and provenance checks, these measures enhance supply chain transparency, ensuring that every software module and hardware element in the 5G ecosystem is verifiable and secure.

Quantum computing advancements are also influencing 5G security roadmaps. Telecom providers are piloting SIM cards embedded with NIST-selected post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, such as CRYSTALS-Kyber, to safeguard subscriber identity modules against future quantum-enabled cryptanalysis. These forward-looking initiatives underscore the industry’s commitment to building quantum-resilient infrastructures that can withstand the computational power of emerging quantum systems.

In April 2025, the U.S. government implemented a blanket 10 percent tariff on all telecom equipment imports, accompanied by elevated reciprocal rates for countries with significant trade deficits-54 percent for China, 46 percent for Vietnam, and 20 percent for the European Union. These measures instantly increased the cost of critical 5G components such as base stations, transceivers, and network switches, placing heightened pressure on both equipment manufacturers and service providers to reevaluate their procurement strategies and inventory buffers.

Financial analysts estimate that U.S. wireless carriers could face a roughly 7 percent rise in capital expenditures driven by increased equipment costs. Given that approximately one-third of capex budgets are allocated to hardware investments, this tariff-induced cost surge could force operators to either absorb the additional expense or slow the pace of 5G rollouts to maintain budgetary discipline. Carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile have reportedly stockpiled equipment in anticipation of tariff impacts, but the absence of sufficient buffer stock may still compel them to delay deployments or reprioritize network expansions.

Major telecom equipment vendors have already signaled the tangible effects of these tariffs on their financial outlooks. Nokia revised its 2025 profit guidance downward by €50 million to €80 million due to tariff pressures, while currency headwinds accounted for an additional €230 million hit. Ericsson, despite reporting stronger-than-expected earnings in early 2025, acknowledged that tariff-related cost increases in its networks division required disciplined margin management and strategic localization of manufacturing to mitigate long-term impacts.

In response to these tariff pressures, some operators and vendors are accelerating reshoring initiatives, exploring alternative vendor ecosystems, and co-locating manufacturing facilities in low-tariff regions. This shift not only mitigates import duties but also shortens supply chains and enhances resilience against geopolitical disruptions. However, the redistribution of manufacturing capacity demands significant capital investments, underlining the need for long-term strategic planning.

For U.S. cellular operators, every incremental percentage point increase in equipment costs tightens capital spending flexibilities and can translate into fewer cell tower upgrades, slower small cell deployments, and deferred rural broadband initiatives. According to industry experts, tariff-related capex constraints may reduce site densification by several percentage points and extend rural deployment timelines, potentially widening the digital divide in underserved regions. Decision-makers must therefore weigh the trade-off between accelerated 5G adoption and prudent financial management as tariffs remain a persistent headwind.

An analysis of the component segmentation reveals distinct growth trajectories across hardware, services, and software categories as businesses fortify their 5G security infrastructures. Within hardware, appliances such as security gateways and base station modules command attention for their critical role in physical network protection, while semiconductor chips gain emphasis due to the need for built-in security functions at the silicon level. Services are diversifying, with compliance consulting and risk assessments guiding regulatory alignment, while customization and implementation services ensure that bespoke security architectures meet unique organizational requirements. Support and maintenance offerings, particularly managed services and technical support, are seeing increased adoption as enterprises seek to offload routine security operations to specialists. On the software front, demand for application security suites is intensifying alongside cloud security platforms, endpoint protection solutions, and network security software, each tailored to address vulnerabilities at different layers of the 5G ecosystem.

When viewed through the lens of security type, application and cloud security are experiencing robust demand driven by the proliferation of mobile and web-based services over 5G networks. Data security and encryption with advanced key management systems are becoming foundational as organizations prioritize confidentiality and compliance, especially in sectors handling sensitive personal and financial information. Endpoint security, encompassing antivirus and endpoint detection and response tools, remains vital for protecting distributed devices, while identity and access management solutions, including multi-factor authentication and single sign-on capabilities, are recognized as indispensable for preventing unauthorized access. Network security functions such as firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention, and virtual private networks are being re-architected for the dynamic, software-defined topologies of 5G environments. Finally, threat intelligence and analytics solutions are harnessing real-time data to deliver predictive insights and proactive defenses, enabling security teams to anticipate and neutralize threats before they materialize.

From the perspective of end users, telecom operators continue to invest heavily in security to protect their public and private network deployments and safeguard subscriber data, while enterprise adoption is accelerating across traditional sectors such as banking, financial services, and insurance, as well as government, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail. In financial services, the emphasis on transaction security and fraud prevention is driving integration of advanced encryption and real-time analytics, whereas healthcare providers are prioritizing secure medical IoT device management and patient data privacy. Government entities focus on compliance with national security mandates, and manufacturers are implementing network segmentation to secure industrial control systems and critical production processes. Retailers, facing omnichannel threats, are embedding endpoint and network security controls to protect point-of-sale systems and supply chain communications.

The transition from non-standalone to standalone deployment modes is another critical dimension shaping 5G security strategies. In non-standalone environments, security solutions must integrate with existing LTE infrastructures, creating hybrid architectures that require cross-layer visibility and control. Standalone deployments, by contrast, enable the full native capabilities of 5G, including network slicing and native service orchestration, which demand purpose-built security frameworks that can enforce slice-specific policies and ensure isolation between tenant networks. Organizations planning greenfield 5G builds are increasingly opting for standalone architectures to leverage these advanced security benefits, while those upgrading legacy systems are balancing cost and risk considerations within non-standalone environments.

Service type segmentation further underscores the complexity of the market, as consulting practices evolve to encompass compliance advisory and risk quantification, integration teams specialize in custom security orchestration and seamless solution deployment, and support and maintenance providers scale managed services and technical support to address continuous monitoring, patch management, and incident response. This diversification of services illustrates the maturation of the 5G security ecosystem, as stakeholders seek end-to-end partnerships that deliver both strategic guidance and hands-on operational support.

In the Americas, U.S. carriers and enterprises are contending with a complex interplay of regulatory mandates, tariff pressures, and accelerated private network deployments. More than 86 percent of organizations are already using private 5G networks or evaluating them, reflecting strong demand for secure, localized connectivity in industries such as energy, logistics, and manufacturing. The need for proactive attack surface management and adaptive AI security tools is particularly acute in North America, where integration of advanced threat intelligence capabilities and self-healing network functions is becoming standard practice to meet stringent compliance requirements.

Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) are defined by a collective push toward harmonized cybersecurity standards under initiatives like the EU Cybersecurity Act and the Cyber Resilience Act, which mandate secure-by-default configurations and comprehensive Software Bills of Materials. Organizations in this region are placing a heightened emphasis on zero-trust models and blockchain-based identity management to comply with evolving data protection regulations and safeguard critical national infrastructure. The region’s diverse market landscape, from mature Western European economies to rapidly digitizing Middle Eastern states, demands flexible security frameworks capable of scaling across heterogeneous network environments.

Asia-Pacific (APAC) exhibits some of the fastest 5G rollout rates globally, bolstered by significant national investments in digital infrastructure and edge computing. Countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea lead in network densification and the deployment of advanced security technologies, including quantum key distribution services and generative AI-driven defense platforms. The region is also grappling with a surge in sophisticated cyberattacks, with organizations experiencing a 23 percent year-over-year increase in weekly incidents. Governments across APAC are introducing stringent data sovereignty laws that mandate localized data processing at edge data centers, compelling enterprises to adopt robust, distributed security controls and quantum-resilient encryption roadmaps.

Global network equipment manufacturers such as Nokia and Ericsson are investing heavily in native 5G security features, integrating advanced encryption, network slicing protections, and centralized threat intelligence platforms into their core offerings. Nokia’s decision to localize U.S. manufacturing capacities and to embed quantum-resistant cryptographic modules in its base station hardware underscores its commitment to mitigating tariff risks and future-proofing network assets. Ericsson, meanwhile, has leveraged its robust supply-chain capabilities to maintain a near 50 percent adjusted gross margin in its networks division, balancing tariff headwinds with strategic licensing revenues and targeted cost optimization measures.

Traditional enterprise networking stalwarts like Cisco and Juniper Networks are reshaping their portfolios to capitalize on the convergence of network and security within 5G environments. By embedding Secure Access Service Edge architectures and zero-trust principles across their SD-WAN and virtual network functions, these firms are enabling seamless policy enforcement from the cloud core to the network edge. Their unified platform approaches alleviate operational complexity for IT teams and foster end-to-end visibility of distributed 5G assets, resonating with organizations transitioning to hybrid work and multi-cloud ecosystems.

Pure-play security vendors, including Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet, are rapidly extending their next-generation firewall and threat intelligence solutions into the 5G arena. These providers emphasize AI-driven analytics and automated response capabilities to detect and neutralize both volumetric DDoS attacks and sophisticated multi-vector threats. By integrating behavioral analysis engines and leveraging global security telemetry, they deliver adaptive defenses that scale with the dynamic nature of 5G network slicing and edge computing deployments.

Specialized technology companies such as Thales and IDEMIA are pioneering quantum-ready security solutions with SIM-based post-quantum cryptography demonstrations that embed NIST-approved algorithms like CRYSTALS-Kyber. These innovations offer a roadmap for telecom operators to safeguard subscriber identity modules against emerging quantum threats while aligning with broader zero-trust strategies. Such collaborations between semiconductor vendors, security software providers, and telecom operators illustrate the ecosystem-wide cooperation necessary to secure the next generation of wireless infrastructure.

Trend Micro’s joint research with CTOne highlights that self-healing networks and predictive threat intelligence are essential for private 5G security, with 86 percent of surveyed organizations deploying or evaluating these solutions. This underlines the critical role of managed security services in emerging use cases such as smart manufacturing and healthcare, where operational continuity and real-time analytics are paramount.

Organizations seeking to fortify their 5G networks should adopt a zero-trust architecture as the foundational security paradigm. By enforcing continuous authentication and authorization for every network request-regardless of its origin-enterprises can mitigate the risk of lateral movement by adversaries within virtualized and sliced network environments. Implementing micro-segmentation and identity-centric policy controls will ensure granular oversight and reduce exposure to internal and external threats.

In parallel, security teams must integrate AI and machine learning capabilities into their defense strategies to enable predictive threat detection and automated incident response. By leveraging anomaly detection models trained on diverse network telemetry, organizations can identify novel attack patterns and orchestrate self-healing mechanisms that isolate compromised segments before breaches propagate. The fusion of AI-driven analytics with network slicing will allow for adaptive security policies tailored to each slice’s risk profile, optimizing resource allocation and operational efficiency.

Edge security should be prioritized through the deployment of unified SASE frameworks that converge networking and security functions into a single, cloud-native platform. This approach streamlines policy management across distributed edge nodes and remote user segments, reducing complexity and ensuring consistent enforcement. Organizations should evaluate SASE solutions that offer integrated SD-WAN, secure web gateway, and firewall-as-a-service capabilities to maintain robust protection across hybrid and multi-cloud architectures.

To mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities and tariff uncertainties, industry leaders are advised to diversify sourcing strategies by establishing regional manufacturing hubs and strategic inventory reserves. Proactive engagement with key component suppliers-such as semiconductor fabs and hardware assemblers-can facilitate just-in-time delivery models that balance cost optimization with risk mitigation. Additionally, accelerating pilot deployments of post-quantum cryptography modules in subscriber identity modules will position networks for future resilience against quantum-enabled attacks.

Comprehensive SBOM adoption and device attestation frameworks should be instituted to enhance transparency and conformity across software supply chains. By maintaining detailed inventories of software components and their provenance, organizations can rapidly identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they are exploited. Collaboration with regulatory bodies and industry consortiums to align on SBOM standards will further streamline compliance and bolster stakeholder trust.

Finally, fostering cross-functional threat intelligence sharing and investing in continuous workforce training will strengthen organizational readiness. Establishing security operations centers equipped with real-time analytics dashboards and threat feeds enables faster triage and coordinated response. Complementing these operational measures with regular red-teaming exercises and certification programs ensures that security personnel maintain expertise in emerging 5G-specific attack tactics and defense methodologies.

This research effort employed a multi-faceted approach to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and relevance of insights into the 5G security landscape. Primary research activities included structured interviews with senior executives and technical leaders from leading telecom operators, cybersecurity vendors, and regulatory bodies. These interviews provided firsthand perspectives on strategic priorities, technology adoption plans, and the operational challenges unique to 5G environments.

Secondary research encompassed a thorough review of publicly available materials, including industry whitepapers, regulatory filings, patent databases, vendor press releases, and financial disclosures. In addition, authoritative sources such as standards-setting organizations’ publications on post-quantum cryptography and zero-trust frameworks were analyzed to contextualize emerging security paradigms.

Quantitative data was triangulated by cross-referencing multiple sources, such as government trade statistics, tariff schedules, and analyst forecasts, to validate trends in equipment costs and capital expenditure impacts. This data validation process ensured robustness in the assessment of tariff effects and regional investment patterns. Where discrepancies arose, follow-up consultations with subject-matter experts clarified uncertainties and refined the analysis.

Geographic coverage spanned North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, and Asia-Pacific, enabling a comprehensive examination of regulatory environments, market maturity profiles, and deployment models across diverse ecosystems. End-user segmentation leveraged survey data from enterprises in key verticals-financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and government-to capture adoption drivers and pain points.

Finally, the findings were subjected to peer review by an independent panel of industry analysts and academic scholars specializing in telecommunications security to ensure methodological rigor and impartiality. This layered approach to data collection, analysis, and validation underpins the credibility of the strategic recommendations and market insights presented herein.

The advent of 5G networks has ushered in a new era of connectivity, unlocking transformative applications in industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and immersive media. However, this evolution has also expanded the attack surface, demanding a fundamental shift in security paradigms. This study underscores the criticality of zero-trust architectures, AI-enhanced threat intelligence, and edge-centric protections as the cornerstones of a resilient 5G security framework.

Market dynamics are being reshaped by regulatory mandates and economic pressures, including significant tariff regimes that elevate hardware costs and influence deployment timelines. At the same time, innovative security vendors and traditional network equipment providers are collaborating to integrate quantum-resistant cryptography and dynamic policy enforcement into next-generation network infrastructures.

The segmentation analysis reveals that while hardware innovations such as secure silicon and appliances remain vital, the rapid maturation of services-ranging from compliance consulting to managed security operations-and versatile software solutions underscore an ecosystem in flux. Regional insights highlight divergent regulatory landscapes and adoption drivers, with North America prioritizing private network security, EMEA emphasizing compliance consistency, and Asia-Pacific focusing on quantum preparedness and data sovereignty.

Moving forward, organizations that proactively embrace holistic security strategies-anchored in zero-trust principles, powered by advanced analytics, and supported by rigorous supply chain management-will be best positioned to harness the full potential of 5G. By aligning strategic investments with evolving threat landscapes, decision-makers can accelerate secure deployments, foster innovation, and maintain trust in an increasingly interconnected world.

To gain an in-depth understanding of the strategic imperatives, market dynamics, and technological innovations shaping 5G security, we invite you to connect with Ketan Rohom, Associate Director of Sales & Marketing. By obtaining the full market research report, your organization will access comprehensive data, expert analysis, and actionable recommendations tailored to your unique business challenges.

Engaging with Ketan will enable you to explore flexible licensing options, request customized insights, and schedule a personal briefing to discuss how these findings can inform your investment and deployment strategies. Reach out today to ensure your enterprise stays ahead in securing 5G networks against emerging threats and regulatory shifts.