Siemens AG partners with Palo Alto Networks on private 5G security

Siemens announced at Mobile World Congress 2026 that it had developed a verified cybersecurity solution for industrial private 5G networks in collaboration with Palo Alto Networks, aiming to secure 5G connectivity while preserving the performance required by AI-driven production.

Data-driven production systems require wireless connectivity for countless sensors and mobile assets, and the companies cited risks including costly downtimes and threats to worker safety; they also referenced regulatory requirements such as NIS2 and Indirect Evaporative Cooling (IEC) 62443 for defense-in-depth architectures.

The architecture combined three technical elements: Siemens' on-premises (on-prem) private 5G infrastructure offering deterministic wireless connectivity with built-in security and data sovereignty independent of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs); SINEC Security Monitor, Siemens software for passive, non-intrusive, continuous on-prem security monitoring that identified communication anomalies and unauthorized devices; and Palo Alto Networks' Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) providing Layer 7 security, dedicated Operational technology (OT) protocol analysis, and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) for OT protocols while maintaining low latency in wireless private 5G communications.

Palo Alto Networks optimized its NGFW technology for Siemens' private 5G infrastructure and Siemens tested the integrated solution across multiple deployment scenarios in its Digital Connectivity Lab in Erlangen, where the verification process validated delivery of industrial-grade security without compromising low latency and high throughput required for real-time production systems.

“A pharmaceutical plant has different security requirements than an automotive assembly line,” said Michael Metzler, Vice President Horizontal Management Cybersecurity for Digital Industries at Siemens. “Siemens' verified solution with Palo Alto Networks addresses these industry-specific needs through purpose-built architecture. Manufacturers get secure 5G connectivity tailored to their operations without performance trade-offs.” “Palo Alto Networks and Siemens are not just connecting the factory floor, we are building the central nervous system for the future of industry - a future that is intelligent, autonomous, and secure by design,” said Dharminder Debisarun, Smart Industries Cybersecurity Executive at Palo Alto Networks.

The solution was made available as part of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio.