SPECIAL OPERATIONS IN A 5G WORLD: CAN WE STILL HIDE IN THE SHADOWS?

Abstract

The arrival of “fifth generation” (5G) telecommunications technology is poised to fundamentally alter societies in numerous ways. Changes to telecommunications technologies and infrastructure will enable 5G networks to integrate information and collaborate at unprecedented levels, enabling leaps in artificial intelligence, human-machine teaming, and other data-based technologies. However, the thrill of emerging technologies and associated capabilities comes at a cost in terms of security vulnerabilities. Just as 5G will alter our daily lives, it will also modify our approach to Special Operations Forces (SOF) missions; bolstered by artificial intelligence, there is great potential for an adversary to aggregate and exploit data on a massive scale. Using qualitative evidence and deducing operational implications, this thesis develops a holistic framework of 5G networks, explores how this changing technological reality impacts signature management, and identifies the threats and opportunities within this domain. Ultimately, special operations forces will be forced to operate within high-risk telecommunications network environments, threatening their ability to sufficiently maintain operational security and manage their signatures. Near-term recommendations—data reduction and protection, force education, and network analysis during mission planning—and long-term research efforts—trusted communications, signature reduction, and deception techniques—may help mitigate these risks.