Identity Management: SIM vs Password
The most significant security difference lies in how a device joins the network.
Traditionally relies on usernames, passwords, or digital certificates. These can be shared, stolen or spoofed. Even with advanced WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) encryption, the entry point remains a software-based handshake that is vulnerable to "Man-in-the-Middle" attacks.
Every device requires a physical or digital SIM card (eSIM). Authentication happens at the hardware level. The network recognizes the unique hardware ID of the SIM, making it nearly impossible for an unauthorized device to impersonate a hospital tablet, infusion pump or any other equipment.
Network Slicing
In a hospital, a guest checking their email should never be on the same logical path as a surgeon streaming robotic telemetry.
Uses Virtual Local Area Networks to separate traffic. While effective, VLANs share the same underlying radio frequency resources, meaning a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack on a guest network can still congest and crash the main medical network.
P5G allows for "Network Slicing." This creates completely isolated end-to-end slices for different types of data. You can dedicate a slice exclusively to PHI (Protected Health Information) that has its own security protocols and guaranteed bandwidth, entirely invisible to other users on the network.
Encryption
To comply with PHIPA and HIPAA, data must be encrypted both at rest and in transit.
Encryption occurs at the application or session layer. The management frames (the signals that tell devices how to connect) are often unencrypted, providing hackers with metadata about the network structure.
5G encrypts not just the data, but the signaling and identity of the user. In a P5G environment, the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) is never sent in cleartext over the air. It is encrypted before it even leaves the device, ensuring that even if someone sniffs the airwaves, they see nothing but noise.
Why P5G is Required for Legislative Compliance
| Requirement | Wi-Fi Challenge | Private 5G Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Integrity (HIPAA) | Susceptible to interference and packet loss, which can corrupt sensitive medical data. | Licensed spectrum ensures zero interference and 99.99% reliability for data integrity. |
| Data Sovereignty (PIPEDA) | Wi-Fi signals often bleed into public spaces (parking lots, streets), increasing the attack surface. | P5G "Small Cells" allows us to precision-engineer the coverage area, keeping data strictly within hospital walls. |
| Consent & Access (PHIPA) | Difficult to track exactly who is on the network at a granular, hardware level. | SIM-based tracking provides an immutable audit log of every device access attempt. |
Back to Mission-Critical Wireless for Healthcare