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A Preliminary Ontology for 5G Network Resilience: Hybrid Threats, Risk Reduction, Compliance

Summary:

Increasing reliance on 5G networks as critical infrastructure across Europe, particularly along transport corridors of EU, underscores the importance of securing these systems against hybrid threats. This paper presents a preliminary ontology for 5G network security, designed to model and mitigate hybrid threats while ensuring regulatory compliance with the cybersecurity requirements of EC. Grounded in the ENISA 5G Taxonomy and ISO 27005 risk management standards, the ontology integrates critical concepts such as assets, threats, risks, and mitigation strategies. It enables systematic risk reduction through iterative validation and logical reasoning tools. A case scenario demonstrates ontological adaptability in addressing emerging risks, such as attacks on NG-RAN, SDN, and cloud-based infrastructure, while supporting compliance with Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) mandates: high-risk supplier management, 5G network resilience and EU strategic autonomy, network operator empowerment and data security. The outcome: a foundation for deploying scalable, resilient 5G systems that bridge ontology with regulatory compliance.

Author(s):

R. Andrew Paskauskas    
Lithuanian Cybercrime Center of Excellence for Training, Research and Education
Lithuania

Dr. R. Andrew Paskauskas is a Research Associate at the Lithuanian Cybercrime Center of Excellence (L3CE), where his work and publications have focused on the ontology and cybersecurity of 5G networks in relation to countering hybrid threats. He holds degrees from Oxford (MSc) and the University of Toronto (PhD).