Ericsson is providing the network equipment for the deployment of DNB’s 5G network across Malaysia

Swedish vendor Ericsson has deployed its Ericsson Security Manager (ESM) to improve the security of Malaysia’s Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) 5G network.

DNB is the state agency in charge of the deployment of a wholesale 5G network in Malaysia.

In a release, Ericsson explained that ESM is a cybersecurity platform solution designed to help mobile operators protect their networks and data from security threats. The solution provides security visibility and automating security processes, the vendor said.

Ericsson also said that networks require automated security orchestration with network asset discovery, security posture and threat management seamlessly integrated with the 5G network due to the changing threat landscape.

The security platform will increase productivity in security operations by providing automated security management with security orchestration, posture management, threat management and certificate management, it added.

Alex Ooi, chief information and security officer at DNB, said: “Building a secure 5G network requires a holistic approach through security standardization, development, deployment, and operations. With ESM automating the security processes and compliance, users of the 5G network will have the assurance that cyber threats are being efficiently monitored and managed, allowing them to leverage the benefits of 5G.”

Keijo Mononen, head of security solutions of the Technologies and New Businesses unit at Ericsson, said: “As the dependency on digitalized services grows, cybersecurity is a critical success factor. ESM allows DNB to gain full visibility and control of the security in 5G. We are excited to see the ESM entrusted in DNB’s 5G network strengthening their network security posture.”

Ericsson is also the equipment provider of DNB’s 5G network.

The Malaysian government has confirmed that DNB will be taken over by a private entity once it achieves its 5G population coverage target. Earlier this month, the country’s Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said that DNB will continue to roll out 5G network infrastructure in the country until 80% coverage is achieved by the end of this year.

The government recently announced it will enable the deployment of a second 5G network in 2024, amid concerns about pricing and competition with the current single state-run network. The government will create a new entity to manage Malaysia’s second 5G network.

Last year, former Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had unveiled an initiative for a state-owned vehicle to own all 5G spectrum, with various carriers using the network infrastructure to provide 5G services across Malaysia via wholesale or MVNO arrangements.

However, Malaysia’s 5G roll-out by DNB had raised concerns over pricing and transparency, as well as worries that a single state-run 5G network would result in a nationalized monopoly.

Due to these concerns, the new prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, had previously announced that it was reviewing the rollout of the national 5G network due to the lack of transparency, which led to a new scheme for 5G rollouts from next year.