PRIVATE WIRELESS NETWORKS – KEY ENABLERS OF INDUSTRY 4.0 DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
Angelina Bott,
Institute of Radio and Information Systems (IRIS), Vienna, Austria;
iris@media-publisher.eu
DOI: 10.36724/2664-066X-2025-11-1-42-56
SYNCHROINFO JOURNAL. Volume 11, Number 1 (2025). P. 42-56.
Abstract
Currently, industry worldwide is undergoing a phase of active digitalization, where the concepts of Industry 4.0 and the Industrial Internet of Things are becoming essential tools for improving the efficiency, flexibility, and global competitiveness of enterprises. These technologies are fundamentally changing approaches to production management, paving the way for the creation of a new generation of “smart” factories. At the core of this transformation is the challenge of collecting reliable data on physical processes in real time. Private wireless networks are key enablers of the Industry 4.0 digital transformation. They provide highly reliable and secure wireless connectivity with predictable performance, high multi-user throughput, and mobility for digitalized industrial assets and OT systems. However, 3GPP-based private wireless networks bring their own cybersecurity considerations (specific vulnerabilities, threat landscape, security controls, compliance requirements, etc.) to an organization’s overall cybersecurity strategy, meaning traditional IT security best practices and technologies cannot be directly transferred to a private wireless environment. In this article, we will take a closer look at the security considerations specific to private wireless networks and help organizations understand how to consider incorporating the 3GPP-based private wireless network ecosystem into their broader IT and OT environment from a cybersecurity perspective. This article is based on Nokia’s “Securing Private Wireless Networks” white paper [1].
Keywords: Private wireless networks, 3GPP technology, Industry 4.0, 5G, LTE, Data security
References
[1] Securing private wireless networks. https://www.dac.nokia.com/
[2] Private-wireless. https://www.nokia.com/networks/industry-solutions/private-wireless/
[3] IP-networks. https://www.nokia.com/networks/ip-networks/deepfield/defender/
[4] Certificate-manager. https://www.nokia.com/networks/security-portfolio/netguard/certificate-manager/
[5] https://onestore.nokia.com/asset/212562
[6] Ipsec security gateway. https://www.nokia.com/networks/solutions/ipsec-security-gateway/
[7] Endpoint-security. https://www.nokia.com/networks/security-portfolio/netguard/endpoint-security/
[8] Identity access manager. https://www.nokia.com/networks/security-portfolio/netguard/identity-access-manager/
[9] NetGuard Audit Compliance Manager. https://www.nokia.com/networks/NetGuard Audit Compliance Manager/Nokia Networks
[10] Cloud network services. https://www.nokia.com/networks/services/cloud-network-services/cloud-consultancy/cybersecurity- consulting/
[11] XDR-security. https://www.nokia.com/networks/security-portfolio/xdr-security/
[12] Cybersecurity orchestration. https://www.nokia.com/networks/security-portfolio/netguard/cybersecurity-orchestration/
[13] Cybersecurity consulting. https://www.nokia.com/networks/services/cloud-network-services/cloud-consultancy/cybersecurity-consulting/
[14] Managed security services. https://www.nokia.com/networks/services/managed-security-services/
[15] S. Dymkova, “Applicability of 5G subscriber equipment and global navigation satellite systems,” Synchroinfo Journal. 2021. Vol. 7. No. 5, pp. 36-48.
[16] D. Chivanov, S. Dymkova, “Impact of 5G network performance on users loyalty,” Synchroinfo Journal. 2024. Vol. 10. No. 1, pp. 39-52.
[17] A.S. Pastukh, V.O. Tikhvinskiy, S.S. Dymkova, “Comparative analysis of tri-band payload utilization in satellite access node for future 5G NTN,” T-Comm. 2025. Vol. 19. No. 5, pp. 62-75.
[18] Industrial-grade private wireless networks for Industry 4.0 applications. https://abloud.blogspot.com/industry-40.html