UK 5G Network Security Market - Forecasts From 2025 To 2030

Description

The UK 5G Network Security Market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.34%, reaching USD 871.571 million in 2030 from USD 640.861 million in 2025.

UK 5G Network Security Market Key Highlights

• The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 is the single greatest non-market-driven catalyst, imposing legally binding, explicit security duties on public telecoms providers, thereby creating mandatory, scheduled demand for security solutions and services.
• Government-led supply chain diversification efforts, specifically the commitment to promote Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN) architectures, directly propel demand for multi-vendor, interoperable RAN Security solutions.
• The transition from proprietary hardware to software-defined networking (SDN) in 5G core functions fundamentally expands the attack surface, shifting demand from perimeter defense tools toward advanced Security Analytics & Monitoring and Cloud Security solutions.
• Enterprise adoption of Private 5G Networks in critical national infrastructure (CNI) sectors, such as manufacturing and defense, creates an urgent, niche demand for integrated Identity & Access Management (IAM) and Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) solutions tailored for operational technology (OT) environments.

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The deployment of Fifth Generation (5G) mobile technology represents a foundational shift in the United Kingdom's digital infrastructure, moving beyond consumer mobile connectivity to underpin critical national services and drive industrial transformation. The technical characteristics of 5G—its dependence on software-defined networking, virtualization, and distributed edge computing—simultaneously unlock vast economic potential and introduce a significantly expanded and more complex threat landscape. Consequently, the UK 5G Network Security Market has transitioned from a supportive operational necessity to a strategic, mandated investment area. Government policy, driven by the inherent risks of a consolidated supply chain and the growing sophistication of state-sponsored cyber threats, now dictates much of the market's velocity and direction, establishing a rigorous security baseline that operators and enterprise users are legally compelled to meet.

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UK 5G Network Security Market Analysis

Growth Drivers

The primary catalyst for market expansion is the Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021, which mandates that UK public electronic communications providers implement measures to identify, reduce, and prevent security compromises. This regulatory obligation creates direct, inelastic demand for comprehensive Security Testing & Compliance services and core security solutions, including enhanced DDoS Protection and advanced Security Analytics & Monitoring. Concurrently, the UK government's commitment to completely remove high-risk vendors from 5G networks by the end of 2027 necessitates a costly but mandatory rip-and-replace cycle, propelling demand for secure equipment and, critically, for specialist Consulting & Integration services to manage the complex, multi-vendor transition while maintaining network integrity and security resilience.

Challenges and Opportunities

The sector faces a significant headwind in the acute cybersecurity skills gap within UK telecommunications and enterprise security operations centres (SOCs). This constraint on internal capacity translates directly into increased demand for Managed Security Services (MSS), creating a substantial opportunity for providers to offer outsourced monitoring, detection, and response capabilities. A key technical challenge is the interoperability deficit inherent in disaggregated Open RAN architectures; while this fragmentation is a security goal, it increases the complexity of threat visibility. This complexity drives demand for security platforms that offer unified visibility, centralized policy enforcement, and AI-driven automation, specifically in the Cloud Security & Virtualization Security segments, as operators seek to manage security seamlessly across hybrid, multi-cloud core networks.

Supply Chain Analysis

The supply chain for UK 5G Network Security is predominantly intangible, comprising software, cryptographic modules, and intellectual property; however, it remains critically dependent on a global ecosystem. Key production hubs reside in the United States, Europe, and Israel, reflecting the dominance of major cybersecurity vendors in North America and established European security firms. The principal logistical complexity involves maintaining software integrity and verification across a deep vendor stack, extending from the underlying open-source components to final commercial products. This structure creates dependencies on the geopolitical stability and software licensing policies of foreign governments and corporations. The UK's 5G Supply Chain Diversification Strategy directly addresses this fragility by promoting solutions with open interfaces, such as Open RAN, which shifts the dependency from a few major hardware providers to a broader, albeit more complex, software-centric ecosystem, demanding greater supply chain risk analysis and software Bill of Materials (SBOM) verification solutions.

Government Regulations

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In-Depth Segment Analysis

By Network Architecture: RAN Security

The Radio Access Network (RAN) forms the critical interface between the end-user device and the 5G core, historically relying on proprietary, highly integrated vendor solutions. The government-mandated push toward Open RAN architecture, which disaggregates hardware and software components via open interfaces, fundamentally changes the security profile and drives specific demand for new security tools. This shift introduces multiple new interfaces—such as the fronthaul, midhaul, and backhaul—all requiring explicit, independent security controls. The need to secure these open interfaces creates urgent need for Network Encryption & VPNs to protect data in transit between disaggregated components (Radio Units, Distributed Units, and Centralized Units). Furthermore, the virtualization of the RAN control plane on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware necessitates specialized Security Analytics & Monitoring to detect anomalous behaviour across multiple virtualized functions, a complexity that traditional, hardware-centric security systems cannot address. This segment's growth is therefore driven by regulatory mandate and the corresponding architectural complexity of a multi-vendor, open-interface deployment model.

By End User: Enterprise 5G Networks

Enterprise 5G Networks, often deployed as Private 5G on a licensee or operator-managed model, serve mission-critical applications in sectors like manufacturing, ports, and defense, which form part of the UK's CNI. This segment's expansion is characterized by a high need for ultra-low latency, localized security enforcement, and assured Quality of Service (QoS), directly increasing the demand for Edge/MEC Security solutions. Unlike public networks, private 5G networks often intersect directly with Operational Technology (OT) and Industrial IoT (IIoT) systems, making them highly attractive targets for disruption. This integration mandates advanced security capabilities, including Identity & Access Management (IAM) solutions, to manage machine-to-machine identities and control micro-segmented access with far greater granularity than conventional IT environments. The security solution must be deeply integrated with the network fabric itself, driving demand for security-as-a-service models and tightly integrated Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) capable of deep packet inspection (DPI) of industrial protocols at the network edge.

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Competitive Environment and Analysis

The UK 5G Network Security market is characterized by a high degree of integration between global network infrastructure providers and specialist cybersecurity firms. The competitive landscape is shaped by regulatory compliance requirements and the complexity of hybrid network deployments, favouring vendors with broad, platform-based offerings and established relationships with UK Tier 1 and Tier 2 telecommunications providers. The push for network disaggregation and the use of AI/ML-driven threat detection have introduced specialist players to compete directly with incumbent networking giants.

Cisco

Strategic Positioning: Cisco maintains a commanding presence through its long-standing relationships as a core network supplier to UK telecoms operators and large enterprises. Its strategy revolves around delivering an integrated, end-to-end security architecture encompassing the transport, core, and access layers. Cisco's value proposition is its ability to secure the entire 5G lifecycle, from planning and deployment to operation, focusing on a unified security policy framework via its Secure Portfolio. Its positioning emphasizes the consolidation of security tools, which appeals to operators navigating the complexities of their new virtualized network core. The company's Cisco Secure Firewall and SecureX platform are integral to securing virtualized network functions (VNFs) and providing unified visibility.

Palo Alto Networks

Strategic Positioning: Palo Alto Networks focuses on providing security automation and a Zero Trust framework tailored for the distributed nature of 5G. The company's core positioning leverages its Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) technology for both traditional network perimeter defense and virtualized 5G core and edge security via its Cloud-Native Security (CNS) solutions. Their strategy aggressively targets the Enterprise 5G Networks segment, offering specific products for securing cloud-native 5G core networks and industrial IoT environments. The company's July 2025 announcement to acquire CyberArk, a leader in Identity Security, is a clear move to establish Identity and Access Management (IAM) as a core platform pillar, critical for securing the vast number of machine identities expected in 5G-enabled industrial deployments.

Darktrace

Strategic Positioning: Darktrace, a UK-based company, is positioned as a leader in AI-driven cybersecurity, specializing in real-time threat detection and autonomous response. Its technology, rooted in Self-Learning AI, establishes a baseline of "normal" behaviour for every user, device, and network segment, enabling it to detect subtle deviations indicative of sophisticated, zero-day attacks that traditional signature-based security tools often miss. This capability is crucial for securing the inherently volatile and distributed environment of 5G networks, particularly the RAN Security and Edge/MEC Security segments, where novel communication patterns are constantly emerging. Darktrace's recent enhancements to its Cyber AI Analyst™, unveiled in April 2025, focus on autonomously performing end-to-end investigations, directly addressing the demand for automated security operations in the face of the UK's cyber skills deficit.

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Recent Market Developments

September 2025: Darktrace Unveils Automated Forensics Capabilities in its ActiveAI Security Platform™

Darktrace announced the release of new automated forensics capabilities within its ActiveAI Security Platform. This product enhancement advances hybrid and multi-cloud security by providing security teams with a clear, step-by-step account of a security incident, which directly supports the imperative for Security Analytics & Monitoring solutions that can operate effectively across the hybrid IT/OT environments common in 5G deployments.

July 2025: Palo Alto Networks Announces Agreement to Acquire CyberArk

Palo Alto Networks announced a definitive agreement to acquire CyberArk, an Identity Security leader. This strategic acquisition is intended to accelerate Palo Alto Networks' platform strategy by making Identity Security (IAM) a new core platform pillar, specifically mentioning securing the new wave of autonomous AI agents. The move positions Palo Alto Networks to capitalize on the escalating demand for robust identity management, which is foundational to the Zero Trust models required for both 5G core and private enterprise networks.

January 2025: Darktrace Delivers New Innovations in Network Detection and Response

Darktrace announced new innovations in its Network Detection and Response (NDR) for enhanced detection, scalability, and SOC efficiency in the modern enterprise. This product launch improves the ability of its solutions to protect highly scalable and fast networks, directly supporting the need for advanced monitoring and detection capabilities within the rapidly expanding and complex UK 5G network architecture.

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UK 5G Network Security Market Segmentation

• BY SOLUTIONS/SERVICES
  • Solutions
    • Firewalls & Threat Protection
    • DDoS Protection
    • Identity & Access Management (IAM)
    • Network Encryption & VPNs
    • Security Analytics & Monitoring
    • Cloud Security & Virtualization Security
  • Services
    • Managed Security Services (MSS)
    • Consulting & Integration
    • Security Testing & Compliance
• BY DEPLOYMENT
  • On-Premise
  • Cloud-Based
• BY NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
  • 5G Security
  • RAN Security
  • Edge/MEC Security
  • Transport Network Security
• BY END USER
  • Telecom Operators
  • Government & Defense Networks
  • Enterprise 5G Networks

Table Of Contents

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

2. MARKET SNAPSHOT

2.1. Market Overview

2.2. Market Definition

2.3. Scope of the Study

2.4. Market Segmentation

3. BUSINESS LANDSCAPE

3.1. Market Drivers

3.2. Market Restraints

3.3. Market Opportunities

3.4. Porter's Five Forces Analysis

3.5. Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.6. Policies and Regulations

3.7. Strategic Recommendations

4. TECHNOLOGICAL OUTLOOK

5. UNITED KINGDOM 5G NETWORK SECURITY MARKET BY SOLUTIONS/SERVICES

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Solutions

5.2.1. Firewalls & Threat Protection

5.2.2. DDoS Protection

5.2.3. Identity & Access Management (IAM)

5.2.4. Network Encryption & VPNs

5.2.5. Security Analytics & Monitoring

5.2.6. Cloud Security & Virtualization Security

5.3. Services

5.3.1. Managed Security Services (MSS)

5.3.2. Consulting & Integration

5.3.3. Security Testing & Compliance

6. UNITED KINGDOM 5G NETWORK SECURITY MARKET BY DEPLOYMENT

6.1. Introduction

6.2. On-Premise

6.3. Cloud-Based

7. UNITED KINGDOM 5G NETWORK SECURITY MARKET BY NETWORK ARCHITECTURE

7.1. Introduction

7.2. 5G Security

7.3. RAN Security

7.4. Edge/MEC Security

7.5. Transport Network Security

8. UNITED KINGDOM 5G NETWORK SECURITY MARKET BY END USER

8.1. Introduction

8.2. Telecom Operators

8.3. Government & Defense Networks

8.4. Enterprise 5G Networks

9. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

9.2. Market Share Analysis

9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

9.4. Competitive Dashboard

10. COMPANY PROFILES

10.1. Cisco

10.2. Palo Alto Networks

10.3. Fortinet Inc.

10.4. Check Point Software Technologies

10.5. Sophos Ltd.

10.6. Juniper Networks, Inc.

10.7. Radware Ltd.

10.8. A10 Networks, Inc.

10.9. Cloudflare, Inc.

10.10. Akamai Technologies

10.11. NESTCOUT Systems, Inc.

10.12. IBM Corporation

10.13. Microsoft Corporation

10.14. Darktrace

11. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES

Companies Profiled

Cisco

Palo Alto Networks

Fortinet Inc.

Check Point Software Technologies

Sophos Ltd.

Juniper Networks, Inc.

Radware Ltd.

A10 Networks, Inc.

Cloudflare, Inc.

Akamai Technologies

NESTCOUT Systems, Inc.

IBM Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Darktrace

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