Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023 by Groupe Speciale Mobile Association (GSMA) is the largest and most influential event for mobile manufacturers, telecommunication network equipment providers and producers, government agencies and related vendors. They participate in promoting new technologies of the mobile ecosystem, such as 5G and 6G. This event is also a platform for discussion and networking etc. MWC 2023 by GSMA has been an annual event organised by GSMA at the same location in Barcelona for the past few years as the main platform for gathering all big telecommunication players from all sectors and domains, including cybersecurity and innovation in digitalization.
In 2023, GSMA promoted a new theme of MWC 2023 by launching a theme called “Velocity, Unleashing Tomorrow’s Technology – Today”. As part of this theme, GSMA is also introducing a new platform for mobile technology and industry by enabling open platform integration by launching a concept called Open Gateway via Earth Computing and Open API (Application Programming Interface) Integrations. MWC 2023 by GSMA was held in Barcelona, Spain, from 27th March 2023 till 2nd March 2023 at Fira Gran Via Halls, accommodating more than 10,000 exhibitors and more than 200 speakers/presenters from a variety of industries, governments, and consumers.
CyberSecurity Malaysia MySEF (CSM MySEF) participation in MWC 2023 by GSMA is part of activities of 5G security test lab development initiatives in gathering information about 5G and mobile technologies, seeking potential collaborators and gathering relevant services information about equipment manufacturers in creating 5G security test lab development plan for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Furthermore, by participating in MWC 2023 by GSMA, CSM MySEF was able to understand the trends in mobile technologies from larger perspectives from different angles of industries that are involved under the purview of GSMA. The representatives from CyberSecurity Malaysia that attended the event were Dato’ Ts. Dr. Haji Amirudin Bin Abdul Wahab (CEO, CSM), Ahmad Dahari Bin Jarno (HoD, CSM MySEF), and Shahrin Bin Baharom (Senior Researcher, CSM MySEF).
MWC GSMA 2023 Programs and Activity Arrangements
MWC 2023 by GSMA was held for four (4) days starting from 27th February 2023 till 2nd March 2023, consisting of exhibitions, presentations on mobile, telecommunication and relevant technologies, platform talks by experts from various sectors, panel session discussion on current matters such as issues and challenges in the mobile world etc. The participation of well-known mobile manufacturers players such as Huawei, Ericsson, ZTE and others showed the products and technologies by holding large exhibition areas in Hall 1 (Huawei), Ericsson (Hall 2) and ZTE (Hall 3) showcasing their new technologies, products and solutions either in the form of devices, applications, hardware etc.
The followings are the list of activities that were attended and participated in by CSM representatives during the event:
Day 1 – 27th February 2023:
Attended presentations/seminars/talks as follows:
Action Items by CSM:
i. Next, the MoU/MoA signing between CSM and Palo Alto Malaysia on the scope of cybersecurity, specifically in the telecommunication industry, covers the area of 5G and new mobile technologies.
Day 2 – 28th February 2023
Visiting booths and exhibition areas for information gathering on relevant collaborators, services and technologies providers.
Action Items by CSM:
i. Consolidating all information gathering during the visits to the exhibitions halls and following up via email to relevant parties to seek more information, seek services etc., that can feed the plan and initiatives related to RMK12, 5G security and potential information to provide in the development of RMK13 proposal(s).
Day 3 – 1st March 2023
A. Meeting with Palo Alto together with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB):
B. Meeting with Fortinet together with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB).
Action Items by CSM:
i. Based on the meeting between CSM, DNB and Palo Alto, all parties agreed to explore potential collaboration on Secure Operation Centre technologies, and solutions have been offered by Palo Alto to DNB as one of their potential solution providers. CSM will look into the technology implementation as cybersecurity experts and advisors to DNB.
ii . Based on the meeting between CSM, DNB and Fortinet, all parties agreed to explore potential collaboration on Fortinet security gateway solutions currently deployed at DNB. CSM will look into the technology implementation.
Day 4 – 2nd March 2023
A. Meeting with Ericsson together with Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB)
B. Meeting with KUBTEL
C. Meeting with Blackberry
D. Meeting with ZTE
E. Meeting with WayLay
Action Items by CSM:
i. Based on the meeting between CSM, DNB and Ericsson, CSM shall take note and collaborate with Ericsson Malaysia representatives in understanding the 5G security technologies implemented by DNB through Ericsson product/devices deployment for 5G Malaysia ecosystems. CSM will communicate with Ericsson Malaysia representative via DNB or directly seek further info on the 5G ecosystem deployment for DNB in security and technology implementation. DNB shall assist on the matter upon the MoU arrangement. There is also a possibility of an MoU between CSM and Ericsson on 5G technology exploration and 5G security knowledge sharing.
ii. Based on the meeting between CSM and KUBTEL, KUBTEL will assist CSM with the 5G private network technology, which DNB is currently exploring for their indoor antenna ecosystem. Therefore, CSM may seek KUBTEL to assist with the simulation deployment for a 5G indoor network or private network within the model of leasing or renting a lab.
iii. Based on the meeting between CSM and Blackberry, Blackberry had agreed to submit their product, solution and cybersecurity system for CSM POC as the product will be used by KKD upon the YB Minister’s request to seek more info on Blackberry Mail App and VPN app.
iv. Based on the meeting between CSM and ZTE, ZTE had agreed to work together with CSM on 5G and 6G technology exploration in the aspects of cybersecurity as aligned with the 5G deployment roadmap by DNB for Malaysia. ZTE is willing to share its technology knowledge in mobile networks from the aspects of knowledge sharing and exploration of testing their products/solutions.
v. Based on the meeting between CSM and WayLay, it has been agreed that WayLay agreed to provide training and solutions of semi-automation audit capabilities solutions/systems for the mobile network ecosystem. WayLay has a few solutions and systems that automate the check, examination and testing of mobile network functions on connected devices to ensure the devices are well maintained from the aspects of operations, patch management and security configuration implementation. WayLay also informed that their product could be tailor-made to meet CSM requirements for security audits for 5G network devices.
Conclusion & Recommendation
Conclusions
MWC 2023 by GSMA was the platform for all telecommunication industries, manufacturers as well as consumers to meet up and network together in achieving their objectives of engaging potential vendors for their mobile network implementation in the forms of either new technologies such as 5G and 6G or specific technologies for the local network such as indoor network, cybersecurity solutions or supporting technologies related to IoT or 4IR.
Participation of CSM in MWC 2023 has been a good achievement by learning new information about the requirements and expectations from DNB for 5G Malaysia as well as engaging new potential collaborators such as Palo Alto, Ericsson, ZTE etc.
Furthermore, CSM has been able to understand the current exploration of all mobile technology industry’s expectations on the future of mobile exploration, such as the new proposal by GSMA on Open Gateway, API exploration and Earth Computing. This information can be the feeds to the RMK13 proposal(s) development for CSM.
Recommendation
It is recommended that CSM could participate again in MWC 2024 as part of initiatives to explore new collaborators in mobile technologies, exploring new solutions for cybersecurity testing in 5G technologies and gathering info for RMK13 proposal(s) development.
Prepared by: Ahmad Dahari Bin Jarno; Shahrin Bin Baharom