Security and Privacy Evolution

Advanced Solutions for More Secure Networks

The Security and Privacy Evolution Vector addresses the critical need to support security across network layers by applying advanced cryptographic, AI, identity and routing tools that help address today’s challenges and mitigate evolving threats.

Overview

Priorities

Use Cases

Supporting network security with a comprehensive multi-layered approach

Several factors are reshaping broadband security: the designation of networks as critical infrastructure, stricter incident reporting requirements, evolving cyber threats against subscribers and their data, and rising expectations for seamless interoperability. Prioritizing making security foundational and embedding it throughout the network architecture, this vector combines the following:

Combating Cyber Threats

Increasingly sophisticated attacks against the network require advanced security solutions like AI-powered anomaly detection to safeguard networks and data.

Strengthening Privacy and Trust

Reliable security practices — including identity authentication, fully-credentialed and authenticated enforcement and data protection — enhance customer confidence.

Supporting Network Advancements

Security innovations provide a secure foundation for Internet of Things (IoT), Routing, Gateways, AI and next-generation applications.

Priorities Include

Interconnection, Operations and Network Security (IONS)

Developing secure routing and advancing Zero Trust architectural approaches across broadband network infrastructure to support the development of secure, intelligent telemetry standards while addressing malicious traffic and evolving cyber threats.

Cryptography

Collaboratively developing industry guidance for migrating to new cryptographic solutions, including post-quantum algorithms. By building flexibility into digital certificates and operator networks, operators can adapt to emerging threats while helping manage equipment replacement costs.

AI Security

Leveraging AI to enhance cybersecurity while promoting responsible AI development and use. We engage in thought leadership to inform responsible AI practices, evaluate regulatory risk, and develop shared reference models and collaborative forums addressing security, privacy and anti-abuse considerations within AI and machine learning (ML).

Secure smart homes and devices

Creating seamless, secure and privacy-protected broadband experiences that build subscriber trust and improve ease of automation and operation. Our standards leadership enables us to build technologies that can be integrated incrementally into vendor devices.

Federated identity, authentication and privacy

Establishing a framework for robust device and user identification, authentication and authorization across mobile, Wi-Fi and terrestrial networks. We also contribute to advancing protocols and standards that empower users and enable protections for privacy.

Future-Ready Labs

Improving and adding capabilities to our labs to implement and test new security and privacy technologies. These efforts support the industry’s use of digital certificates and trusted network operations.

Security and Privacy Evolution in Action

Driving innovation in cybersecurity and public-private collaboration

CableLabs leads the development of technical specifications and cybersecurity standards that have shaped national policy and reinforced the broadband industry’s role as a trusted partner in securing America’s digital infrastructure. Through collaboration with federal agencies, state and local governments, and cross-sector partners like the Communications Sector Coordinating Council (CSCC), the industry advances critical information sharing and incident response initiatives in direct support of national security and emergency preparedness efforts.

At the federal level, these contributions have been recognized and cited by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the Office of the National Cyber Director (ONCD) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Glowing orange shield icons displayed in a row on futuristic server racks, representing cybersecurity, data protection, and network security.

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Setting the standard for security leadership

The broadband industry advances security through real-world deployment and technical leadership across the home, enterprise, network infrastructure and the broader internet ecosystem.

Home

We published the widely adopted CableLabs Gateway Device Security Best Common Practices for home routers and access points, and we lead ongoing efforts to standardize IoT security in the home.

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Enterprise

Our contributions include addressing ransomware threats and developing tools to mitigate the impact of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on businesses.

Network Infrastructure

CableLabs published the Zero Trust and Infrastructure Security Best Common Practices and contributed substantially to 3GPP mobile security specifications and IEEE optical networking specifications.

Digital illustration of a glowing shield protecting a house and office buildings, symbolizing cybersecurity for home and business networks.

Aerial illustration of a residential neighborhood with shield icons over each home, representing secure, protected home networks.

Internet Ecosystem

A cross-industry benchmark, CableLabs’ Cybersecurity Framework Profile for Internet Routing provides actionable guidance on mitigating vulnerabilities in the Border Gateway Protocol, the internet’s core routing protocol. In addition, our DOCSIS security standards continue to evolve to protect broadband subscribers.