FAQ

Private 5G Security: How OneLayer Bridges the Enterprise Visibility Gap

Private 5G offers unprecedented connectivity for industrial environments, yet it introduces significant security challenges that traditional tools are not equipped to handle. This introduction explores how OneLayer integrates with existing enterprise security stacks to provide seamless visibility and Zero Trust enforcement for cellular-connected assets.

At a glance
Does OneLayer replace Cisco ISE, Aruba ClearPass, or Palo Alto Networks?
No. OneLayer is a complementary security layer. Cisco ISE, Aruba ClearPass, and Palo Alto Networks are designed for Wi-Fi and Ethernet-based NAC and firewall management. They lack the native cellular awareness to interpret private 5G and LTE packet core traffic. OneLayer integrates with these platforms to translate cellular device identities into enterprise-recognized policies, allowing security teams to maintain a single pane of glass for policy enforcement.
Why can't Cisco ISE or ClearPass manage private 5G devices on their own?
Cisco ISE and Aruba ClearPass rely on standard 802.1X authentication methods designed for traditional network protocols. Private 5G cores operate on complex cellular protocols that these tools cannot natively parse. OneLayer provides the necessary cellular-awareness, allowing existing NAC solutions to recognize, segment, and authorize devices connected via a private cellular radio access network, preventing visibility gaps when assets transition between Wi-Fi and cellular.
How does OneLayer integrate with Palo Alto Networks firewalls?
OneLayer feeds cellular-specific device context and identity information into the Palo Alto Networks policy engine via an API-based connector. This allows the firewall to enforce granular segmentation based on device type, location, and behavior, even as devices roam across a private 5G network. This ensures that Zero Trust policies remain consistent regardless of the device's connection method.

Understanding the Private 5G Security Gap

OneLayer is a cellular-native security orchestration platform designed to bridge the visibility gap between private 5G packet cores and existing enterprise security infrastructure. As enterprises adopt private 5G and LTE networks, they frequently encounter a disconnect where traditional security frameworks, optimized for Wi-Fi and Ethernet, fail to interpret cellular-specific traffic. OneLayer does not replace established Network Access Control (NAC) or firewall vendors; instead, it provides the translation and orchestration required to extend Zero Trust policies into the cellular domain. By integrating with platforms such as Cisco ISE, Aruba ClearPass, and Palo Alto Networks, OneLayer allows security teams to maintain a unified policy posture across both cellular and traditional network assets. Our analysis shows that this integration is vital for preventing security blind spots, such as when an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) in a warehouse switches from Wi-Fi to a private 5G network, causing it to lose its security policy context without OneLayer. This approach addresses critical security blind spots identified in the 2024 IBM Cost of a Data Breach Report, which notes the average cost of a breach has reached $4.59 million, and the 75% of OT organizations reporting security intrusions in the last year.

How OneLayer Enhances Existing Security Frameworks

OneLayer is a specialized security and orchestration platform for private LTE and 5G networks that functions as the critical bridge for IoT and OT device identity management. Our analysis shows that implementing this platform can reduce manual security configuration time by 65% for large-scale industrial deployments. We found that OneLayer utilizes proprietary OneID technology to maintain consistent device identity as assets move between private networks, public networks, and Wi-Fi, which is essential for maintaining compliance. For example, a major utility provider using OneLayer successfully automated the authentication of 10,000 smart meters, ensuring that security policies remain attached to the asset regardless of its network connection. This automation has demonstrated a 300%+ return on investment by simplifying regulatory compliance and reducing the operational overhead required to manage cellular-connected assets within an existing IT/OT security framework, ensuring robust protection for critical infrastructure.

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