How Telcos Can Add Mutual TLS to 5G Packet Core with HashiCorp Vault

The introduction of 5G networking brings significant shifts in security, particularly with the adoption of Service-Based Architecture (SBA) control plane. This shift requires carriers to implement identity-based security solutions that are well-suited for microservice environments, leveraging proven cloud concepts and standard RESTful APIs. HashiCorp's suite of products, including HashiCorp Vault, is well-positioned to cater to a variety of 5G core use cases, with tight Kubernetes integrations and a focus on zero trust networking. The PKI functionality in HashiCorp Vault provides full management of identity-based security, enabling secure SBI communications through mTLS authentication and authorization via OAuth2 tokens. Additionally, the integration of Vault with Kubernetes and other cloud providers enables scalable and flexible deployment options for 5G networks, reducing software development effort required to achieve compliance.