Security Risks in 5G

– This paper presents a comprehensive review of security vulnerabilities in fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks. It investigates emerging threats across the core network, protocol layers, and software-defined infrastructures, emphasizing risks introduced by network slicing, open APIs, and virtualization. The methodology involves comparative analysis of recent technical literature and classification of threats such as denial-of-service attacks, weak authentication mechanisms, and endpoint vulnerabilities. The study evaluates current mitigation strategies including encryption, slice isolation, and secure device authentication, identifying their limitations in real-world deployment. Key findings highlight persistent gaps in standard implementation, especially in maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability in hyperconnected environments. The paper concludes with recommendations for future research, including AI-based threat detection, post-quantum cryptographic solutions, and adoption of zero-trust security frameworks. The insights aim to assist researchers, network operators, and policymakers in strengthening the resilience of 5G infrastructures against evolving cyber threats.