Security Evolution and Threat Mitigation in LTE and Fifth-Generation Mobile Networks

The transition from 4G LTE to 5G has reshaped both the functioning of mobile networks and the methods used to manage cyber security risks. This work analyses how 4G LTE and 5G networks handle serious security risks including data leaks, illegal access attempts, signaling misuse, and vulnerabilities in both core and radio access components. Although 4G LTE improved encryption and mutual authentication, its centralized design remained vulnerable to single-point failures and struggled to scale against emerging threats. Unlike LTE, 5G uses a distributed and software-based architecture that includes network slicing, virtualized functions, edge computing, and support for a large number of connected devices. While these features significantly enhance network performance and flexibility, they also increase the potential attack surface. The analysis shows that with stronger cryptographic techniques, a distributed architecture, and enhanced identity protection, 5G provides a more robust security base than 4G LTE. However, the extensive use of virtualization and software-driven elements introduces new risks such as misconfigurations, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and threats targeting orchestration layers. The Overall security effectiveness of 5G depends largely on proper deployment practices, continuous monitoring, and regularly updated protection strategies to fully realize next-generation network benefits.