Press release
With MANTRA5G, Exceeding Solutions and TÜV Informationstechnik (TÜVIT) are jointly developing a test framework that will enable the efficient testing of critical 5G mobile radio components in the future. The project is funded by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).
5G is increasingly revolutionising mobile communications and is becoming more and more a part of everyday life. This means that the fifth generation of mobile communications is also increasingly being used in critical infrastructures (KRITIS). The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the GSM Association (GSMA) have developed the Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme (NESAS) to provide the best possible protection against cyber attacks and strengthen confidence in the IT security of 5G mobile radio components. With NESAS CCS-GI (Cybersecurity Certification Scheme - German Implementation), the BSI also has a national certification scheme. However, corresponding tests require complex test setups and high hardware requirements. In addition, the 5G telecommunication components to be tested are often highly heterogeneous. At the same time, however, legal framework conditions are increasingly demanding tests.
As part of the joint research project MANTRA5G(Modular, Adaptiveand iNteroperable TestfRAmeworkfor 5G/6G), Exceeding Solutions and TÜVIT are addressing precisely these challenges and developing an innovative 5G test framework. In future, this should enable time- and cost-efficient testing of all critical 5G components in accordance with NESAS. This is made possible by a virtual intermediate layer API, which can be used to comparatively test and certify the various devices according to a predefined pattern, i.e. a test specification. In addition, the test framework to be developed should contain a virtualised 5G network that is able to realistically simulate the central functions of all components. In this way, 5G mobile radio components can be tested in a complete network environment. The test framework is intended to create a manufacturer-independent test chain in which all mobile radio component classes can be integrated.
"As a recognised test centre for NESAS CCS-GI, we are familiar with the challenges associated with testing 5G components," says Lisa Jäger, IT security expert at TÜVIT. "This gave rise to the idea of developing a universally applicable test framework that will enable time- and cost-efficient testing in the 5G area in the future. With Exceeding Solutions, we have a cooperation partner at our side who has extensive experience in automated test tools for IT security testing of critical infrastructures."
As a research and development project in the field of cyber security for 5G/6G communication technology, MANTRA5G is funded by the German Federal Office for Information Security. The aim of the underlying funding programme is to strengthen the innovative power of companies and contribute to Germany taking on a leading role as a technology provider with regard to 5G.
TÜV Informationstechnik GmbH (headquartered in Essen, Germany) is a renowned IT security service provider and an independent testing institute and laboratory for IT security and cyber security in digitalisation. TÜVIT has been accredited worldwide since 1995 and creates trust in security measures at the level of business processes, data, applications and technologies through vulnerability analyses, audits and evaluations. TÜVIT is a powerful partner in detecting and responding to cyber attacks and ensures rapid restoration of business capability. In this way, businesses, public authorities and operators of critical infrastructures strengthen their regulatory compliance in the areas of confidentiality, integrity and availability as well as their holistic cyber resilience and IT security in the supply chain.
Together with ALTER TECHNOLOGY, TÜVIT forms the Digital & Semiconductor business unit. The business unit is a key pillar of the TÜV NORD GROUP, a knowledge company that has stood for security and trust worldwide for over 150 years. Engineers and IT security experts in more than 100 countries ensure that companies become even more successful in the networked world.
