FUSE5G 2026: A Day of Insights on the Future of Telecom Security

On 25 March 2026, Eindhoven hosted the FUSE5G Forum – the Forum for Uniting Security Experts in 5G, sponsored by TNO, Montsecure and INTERSECT. The event brought together researchers, industry leaders, and security professionals for a full day dedicated to the future of telecom security. The event, held at De Zwarte Doos on the TU/e campus, reached full capacity, reflecting the community’s growing interest in 5G, 6G, and next‑generation network protection.

The forum opened with remarks by the organizers, who introduced the event and its mission. The first keynote was delivered by Cathal McDaid (ENEA/AdaptiveMobile Security), who explored how geopolitical shifts and rapid technological advances—especially AI—are reshaping telecom security. He highlighted how real‑world events, rather than standards alone, increasingly define the threat landscape for mobile networks.  A dedicated poster session followed, offering participants the opportunity to network and discuss ongoing research.

Later, Alexandre de Oliveira (Post Luxembourg) shared a compelling retrospective on 15 years of telecom security work, emphasizing how legacy protocols and long‑standing architectural assumptions create persistent vulnerabilities. His talk underscored a sobering reality: attackers often maintain an advantage due to the inherent complexity and opacity of telecom ecosystems.

One of the most impactful sessions came from Paweł Dobrzański (T‑Mobile Poland), who described the crucial role of Polish telecom operators during the war in Ukraine. He provided rare insights into counter‑sabotage collaboration, defense against drone incursions, and the transformation of telecom infrastructure into a military‑grade asset—all while maintaining civilian connectivity.

The afternoon program shifted toward cutting‑edge research.
Giuseppe Bianchi (University of Rome Tor Vergata) examined identity exposure in 5G and new passive signal‑inference techniques that raise concerns about traceability and user privacy.

Following this, Pawani Porambage (VTT Finland) provided an update on global 6G security research and the emerging role of AI in Radio Access Networks. With AI‑RAN expanding the attack surface, she highlighted new challenges and the need for adaptive, proactive security models.

A late‑afternoon panel gathered experts for a forward‑looking dialogue on collaboration across the telecom security community, with intense involvement from the audience. The event concluded with a wrap‑up and networking drinks, leaving attendees with a strong sense of momentum toward building safer, more resilient next‑generation networks.

The 2026 edition of FUSE5G once again demonstrated the power of bringing together practitioners, researchers, and industry stakeholders to tackle the evolving challenges of mobile network security. As 5G deployments mature and 6G research accelerates, events like FUSE5G play a vital role in shaping secure, resilient, and future‑proof telecom systems.