Powering 5G Mobile Network Security with vSecGW: Performance, Challenges & Real-World Impact

As 5G transforms global connectivity, the combination of massive device diversity, cloud-native architectures, network slicing, and edge deployments exposes sensitive data to heightened risks of eavesdropping and unauthorized access. In this environment, the need for security that is robust, scalable, and aligned with evolving regulatory requirements has become more critical than ever.

The 6WIND Virtual Security Gateway (vSecGW) is emerging as a key solution—delivering high performance, flexibility, and cost savings for mobile operators and enterprises alike.

Evolving 5G Security Challenges

Security in 5G networks must address a growing attack surface and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements. Key areas of concern include:

• Mid-haul, backhaul
• ETSI-defined interfaces such as N2, N3, XN, and F1

To meet these demands, vSecGW solutions implements:

• IPSec and ESP protocols
• IKEv2 certificate-based authentication

Deployment models—centralized vs. distributed—require tailored approaches to ensure seamless protection across diverse infrastructures.

Deployment options for securing mobile networks with 6WIND vSecGW

Security Gateway Performance with Intel® Xeon®

6WIND vSecGW, running on modern Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors, delivers high throughput without dedicated hardware accelerators:

• IPv4/IPv6 throughput: Up to 200 Gbps per CPU core
• IPSec throughput: up to 22 Gbps per CPU core
• Linear scalability ensures line-rate performance across cores
• Enhanced telemetry and threat detection integrated into the platform

This software-based architecture eliminates the need for specialized hardware, making it ideal for cloud-native and edge deployments.

Real-World Tier 1 Demonstration

A lab setup replicating a Tier 1 service provider environment demonstrated real-world capabilities:

• 200 Gbps aggregate throughput (90% downstream, 10% upstream)
• Tunnel capacity: 100K IPsec tunnels emulating RAN-to-core connections
• Reliability: Zero packet loss during performance testing

This validated that vSecGW can handle high-scale 5G encryption workloads with predictable latency and stability

Benefits and Use Cases

Compared to legacy hardware appliances, vSecGW enables:

• 3x performance on the same hardware
• 50% lower cost
• 3x hardware savings for existing networks

These benefits have led to successful deployments with European Tier 1 service providers and growing adoption across:

• Private and public 5G networks
• Multi-access edge computing (MEC)
• Network slicing
• Neutral host provider models

Conclusion

As 5G networks mature, security must evolve with them. vSecGW offers a future-proof, high-performance solution that meets regulatory standards, scales efficiently, and reduces costs. With Intel Xeon integration and proven Tier 1 deployments, vSecGW is a cornerstone of secure mobile networking in the era of advanced connectivity.
For a deeper technical dive — including live performance results, deployment architecture walkthroughs, and Q&A with experts from 6WIND and Intel — watch the on-demand webinar from which these insights are drawn.

Click here to watch the replay.

For more information on how 6WIND can transform your networking journey, contact us today.