This spring, Avast’s Sean Obrey had the pleasure of sitting down with Light Reading’s Phil Harvey twice to discuss the new world of 5G cybersecurity and how Avast can create value for service providers.

Moving Into the 5G Era

In Avast’s first podcast episode with Light Reading, Obrey walked through the challenges and opportunities for the growing 5G landscape. As 5G continues to evolve, devices must be updated to accommodate for the new levels of speed and connectivity. Right now, we see phones as the current target for 5G integration, but within the next few years, we can expect computers and IoT devices to join the ranks. 

Of course, there are many security risks due to the sheer volume of devices and need for protection against malware at levels beyond end-point or router solutions. According to Obrey, service providers “need to be able to aggregate that protection in [their] software defined network; it needs to be a virtual network function in order to address the [malware] problem in volume.”

What service providers can do right now is partner with companies like Avast to deploy router-based and end-point solutions to customer devices, keeping them protected however they choose to connect. Moving forward, partnered providers should look to place cyber protection in 5G-enabled routers as 5G networks continue to evolve. As we gain a better understanding of IoT and smart devices, more effective solutions can be realized and providers will be able to partner with Avast and others to launch a network-integrated cybersecurity solution. Listen to the full podcast episode to learn more about 5G security here.

Adapting to Meet Consumer Needs

Sean Obrey joined Phil Harvey a second time for Light Reading’s podcast episode to talk about how cybersecurity companies bring value to service providers. Obrey describes that the best way to provide value is adaptability, and the key to achieve this is “purely listening to customer needs and innovation.”

In any partnership, both parties look to the future and consider how benefits can stretch beyond the present. Avast has moved with providers from simple call and text to data limits to location features to content filters and screen time management and now family controls, showing the ability to create solutions for whatever hurdle comes next as a result of modernization. As stated in the earlier podcast episode, we are currently looking at the challenges of 5G, and the multitude of devices specifically on IoT networks are not equipped to include endpoint security solutions. 

To accommodate this, Obrey recommends providers think about associating themselves with adaptable security companies who are prepared to take these developing obstacles.“We went to the broadband phase and then we went to the mobile broadband phase, and now we’ll have the 5G phase,” says Obrey. If you are an operator you need to think about partnering with someone who is taking all [5G] trends into [account] today.” Listen to the full podcast episode to learn more about providing value through adaptability here.

About Avast Smart Life

Smart Life can detect unusual behavior and shut down malicious attacks before they can cause harm to the family by bringing together cybersecurity for all connected devices. In addition to keeping users and their devices safe, Smart Life also has parental control features, allowing parents to monitor their child’s internet use and encourage healthy online habits. 

Avast is the only provider capable of delivering a comprehensive security suite, from robust threat intelligence to solutions across end-points, routers, and 5G gateways. Network operators can effectively offer a seamless security suite for customers powered through a single interface, making cyber protection easy and efficient.

Find out more on how to keep your network safe and secure through partnering with Avast.