Cybersecurity in 5G integrated IIoT systems
Janine de Vries · Diva portal (Dalarna University Library) · 2026
Abstract Background. As Industrial IoT (IIoT) systems increasingly move towards wireless communications such as 5G networks, both opportunities and risks are growing. At the same time, previous research often looks at IIoT and 5G separately, making it more difficult to understand how IIoT security threats and 5G vulnerabilities are related when these systems are integrated.Objectives. This study aims to (1) identify IIoT security threats in different layers of IIoT systems, (2) analyze how these can be related to 5G vulnerabilities, and (3) identify possible security mitigations to address these security threats and vulnerabilities.Methods. The study is based on a literature review in which existing research in the field has been analyzed. A three-layer IIoT model (Perception, Network, and Processing) is used to structure the identified IIoT security threats. These are then related to 5G vulnerabilities. Based on this, relevant security measures are identified. An illustrative attack walkthrough is also included to demonstrate how identified security threats and related 5G vulnerabilities may affect multiple parts of the system.Results. The results show that identified IIoT security threats and related 5G vulnerabilities do not only affect a single layer but can affect multiple parts of the system. It was also found that several security threats and vulnerabilities can be managed using similar types of security measures, such as mutual authentication, secure communication protocols, and access control. The study also presents a checklist that provides an overview of system security and can be used in practice.Conclusions. The study shows that security challenges also arise in 5G integrated IIoT systems and not only in the individual components. By mapping IIoT security threats to related 5G vulnerabilities, it becomes clear that they often affect similar parts of the system. This means that security should be considered from a broader system perspective. The study also shows that many of these security threats and vulnerabilities are already known but still relevant when systems are combined.Therefore, it is not enough to secure individual parts, but several mitigations need to be used together. Keywords: Cybersecurity, IIoT, 5G, Security threat, Vulnerabilities, Security Mitigations.