Zero trust at 5G scale: Securing every device, everywhere

Organizations are becoming increasingly reliant on connected devices. From retail and secure payments to robot-driven manufacturing and remote operations such as mining, IoT is no longer a nice-to-have — it is business-critical. And with 5G, these devices are evolving into real-time enterprise endpoints, directly connected to applications, cloud platforms and core enterprise systems. 

But as connectivity scales, exposure expands. Every connected device becomes a potential attack surface; the more devices you connect, the harder it becomes to manage and secure them consistently.

Traditional security models built for centralized networks aren’t ready for this level of distributed connectivity, and agent-based controls don’t scale across millions of field devices. In an environment where devices connect across regions, carriers and cloud platforms, security must be part of the connectivity itself. That means embedding zero trust security into the network so that protection doesn’t rely on device capabilities.

Intelligent security built into the network

In a 5G-enabled organization, trust cannot be assumed simply because a device is connected. Every device, session and data exchange must be verified continuously, without introducing latency or operational friction. That requires security and connectivity to function as an integrated system rather than as separate layers.

This is the foundation of 5G secure access service edge (5G SASE). Instead of bolting controls onto devices or backhauling traffic to centralized security stacks, 5G SASE embeds zero trust enforcement directly into the connectivity layer. Protection is applied at the network level, extending consistent security to every endpoint — including IoT and OT devices that cannot support agents or additional software.

By converging networking and security, organizations can scale connected devices without multiplying blind spots, complexity or cost.

Consistent protection across users, devices and locations

Modern 5G environments span factories, retail sites, remote operations and multicloud platforms. Devices authenticate, exchange data and access applications in real time across distributed infrastructures. Security must therefore be continuous, consistent and globally enforceable.

With 5G SASE, every device is verified at connection and monitored throughout its session. Policies are defined centrally and enforced uniformly across regions, carriers and environments. A unified control plane eliminates fragmented configurations, reduces compliance risk and simplifies governance.

Threat prevention is applied at the edge, stopping malicious activity before it reaches core systems or cloud platforms. Because enforcement resides within the connectivity fabric itself, you gain full visibility and control without increasing device complexity.

The result — thanks to the combined security and connectivity strengths of NTT DATA and Palo Alto Networks — is secure 5G adoption that keeps pace with business growth.

5G SASE from NTT DATA and Palo Alto delivers unified, agentless security across your enterprise network

The managed advantage

Delivered as a managed service, 5G SASE unifies NTT DATA’s global 5G connectivity with the advanced security capabilities offered by Palo Alto Networks under a single operating model.

From design and deployment to 24x7 monitoring and lifecycle management, you gain centralized visibility and expert oversight at a global scale.

Connected devices remain off the public internet while securely accessing private applications and services. All traffic is routed through a zero trust architecture that isolates the edge and reduces the attack surface. With consistent policy enforcement, continuous monitoring and a single view across connectivity and security, you protect your IoT, OT and 5G devices without making your internal IT team’s job any harder.

Advancing secure 5G together at MWC Barcelona 2026

Simone Gammeri (left), Chief Partnership Officer at Palo Alto Networks, and Oscar Garcia, Global Managing Director at NTT DATA, at MWC Barcelona 2026

Connectivity is essential for growth, but its real value depends on how securely it is deployed. As organizations expand their 5G-powered environments, risk, visibility and policy consistency have become a priority for leadership.

At MWC Barcelona 2026, NTT DATA and Palo Alto Networks reinforced our shared commitment to secure 5G adoption at scale. Our collaboration reflects a shared understanding: Secure connectivity is the foundation of digital transformation.

As your organization’s operations become more reliant on connectivity for efficiency and growth, the responsibility for that connectivity extends to how it is governed and sustained. With our help, you stay connected, secure and in control.

This is how NTT DATA and Palo Alto Networks help you stay ahead securely in the 5G era.