Securing Cellular Networks: Challenges from 5G to Next-Generation Systems

Pricing

• Free

Dates and Times

Contact

Carolina Soekmadji

More information

This seminar is part of the 6G Security and Privacy Seminars under the 6G Security Research and Development Program. The Program aims to conduct foundational research into the security requirements of 6G technologies and shape the development of 6G telecommunications standards internationally.

Abstract

The evolution of cellular communication systems—from 2G to 5G and beyond—has transformed the way we connect, work, and live. However, this progress has also introduced complex security challenges that span diverse technologies and application scenarios. In this talk, we explore the critical role of security in cellular networks, providing a deep dive into vulnerabilities, real-world attacks, and cutting-edge defenses. We begin by shortly examining recent security and privacy challenges, highlighting successful exploits such as impersonation attacks or SUCI catchers. Building on this, I present current research findings from our group, focused on two key contributions: Freaky Leaky SMS, which leverages SMS timing analysis to compromise user location privacy, and ASTRA-5G, an advanced framework for UE security testing. The talk concludes by addressing emerging challenges in the security of O-RAN systems and envisioning parts of the privacy and security landscape for 6G networks. By bridging insights from past vulnerabilities with future threats, this presentation aims to inspire new approaches to securing next-generation cellular networks.

Biography

Christina Pöpper is a tenured faculty and Associate Professor of Computer Science at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) where she is heading the Cyber Security & Privacy (CSP-) Lab. She is currently the Program Head of Computer Science at NYUAD, the Director of Research at the Center for Cyber Security (CCSAD), and a Global Network Associate Professor of Computer Science at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at NYU. Christina’s research interest is cyber security and privacy. Focus areas are wireless and communication security, including cellular network security, secure localization, and aviation cyber security, as well as privacy and anonymity in communication networks and systems. Christina serves as TPC Co-Chair of NDSS 2025. She has been a member of the steering committee of ACM WiSec, the ACM Conference on Security and Privacy in Wireless and Mobile Networks, since 2018, and was TPC Co-Chair in 2018 and General Chair in 2021. The research work of her group has been recognized multiple times by the Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure program of GSMA, the GSM Association. Since 2021, she has been a member of the Executive Committee of ACM SIGSAC. In an earlier life, Christina worked at the European Space Agency in Paris; space rocks. Christina holds Ph.D. and graduate degrees in Computer Science from ETH Zurich.

Hosts

Sharif Abuadbba and Chandra Thapa.