The Zero Trust Imperative for 5G and Cloud-Native Telecom Operators | IJCT Volume 12 – Issue 6 | IJCT-V12I6P15
International Journal of Computer Techniques
ISSN 2394-2231
Author
Krishnaveni Palanivelu
Abstract
The evolution of telecommunications networks from hardware-driven infrastructure to cloud- native architectures has fundamentally changed the security landscape. Traditional perimeter- based defense models no longer suffice in a 5G and Telco Cloud environment where workloads, APIs, and network functions are distributed across physical, virtual, and cloud-native domains.
Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) — based on the principle of “never trust, always verify” — has emerged as a foundational approach for securing modern telco networks. This paper explores the key concepts of Zero Trust in the context of 5G and Telco Cloud, outlines common
implementation challenges, and provides practical strategies for integrating ZTA into existing OpenShift- or Kubernetes-based environments. Real-world examples from network slicing, CNF deployment, and multi-cluster orchestration illustrate how operators can build a resilient,
identity-driven, and continuously verified telco security posture.
Keywords
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Conclusion
Zero Trust is not a one-time deployment but a strategic transformation in how telco networks are designed, deployed, and operated.
By eliminating implicit trust, enforcing strong identity verification, and continuously monitoring every connection, operators can secure dynamic, distributed 5G and Telco Cloud environments against evolving threats.
As telcos embrace cloud-native architectures, Zero Trust offers a unified, scalable, and
standards-aligned approach to protect their most critical infrastructure — ensuring resilience, compliance, and customer trust.
References
1.NIST Special Publication 800-207 — Zero Trust Architecture, 2020.
2.3GPP TS 33.501 — Security architecture and procedures for 5G system, Release 17.
3.GSMA NESAS — Network Equipment Security Assurance Scheme, 2023.
4.Red Hat — Securing Cloud-Native 5G Networks, Technical Whitepaper, 2024.
5.ETSI NFV-SEC 003 — Security; Security and Trust Guidance for NFV Architectural Framework, 2022.
6.CNCF — Cloud Native Security Whitepaper, 2023.
7.Gartner — Zero Trust Security for 5G and Edge Computing, 2024.
How to Cite This Paper
Krishnaveni Palanivelu (2025). The Zero Trust Imperative for 5G and Cloud-Native Telecom Operators. International Journal of Computer Techniques, 12(6). ISSN: 2394-2231.
