---
title: "Checklist: Deploying 5G and security for electric utility companies"
url: "https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/industries/utilities/checklist-deploying-5G-and-security-for-electric-utility-companies/"
description: "This checklist outlines essential steps and considerations for selecting a 5G solution that is secure, reliable, and easy for lean teams to manage."
content_type: "page"
breadcrumb: "[Home](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/) › [Proof Center](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/proof-center/) › [Resources](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/resources/) › Checklist deploying 5G and security for electric utility companies"
gated: false
---

# Checklist: Deploying 5G and security for electric utility companies

Utilities checklist

# Checklist: Deploying 5G and security for electric utility companies
5G is the ideal network technology for addressing key challenges facing utilities, from grid modernization and wildfire prevention to optimizing fleet utilization. To ensure that mobile crews, sites, stations, and devices across your agency are securely connected, monitored, and managed, IT teams must develop a clear plan for selecting and implementing a 5G solution. This checklist outlines essential steps and considerations for selecting a 5G solution that is secure, reliable, and easy for lean teams to manage.

![A utility worker reviews a digital diagram of a high-voltage power transmission tower on a tablet.](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/bltaa3e8ec7883217ec/6a84d174f9838a8f313be819/5G-electric-utility-1512x500.jpg)

## Best practices

- Treat network security as a foundational consideration from the start, not as an afterthought.

- Assemble a cross-functional buying team to define and align project parameters and expectations of the new technology.

- Work with trusted partners with specific expertise to drive initiatives forward effectively. Avoid implementing applications using only in-house resources and IT generalists.

- Legacy network segmentation and policy management are manual, slow, and error prone. Start with the outcome you need and choose the simplest solution that gets you there.

## Planning considerations

- What is the objective(s) of this technology initiative?

- What metrics and benchmarks must the network solution deliver to be considered a success?

- Which internal group oversees the deployment?

- Does the project lead understand the objectives and requirements across all stakeholder groups?

- Has the lead considered likely increases in data traffic, edge computing, and low latency requirements?

- How can appropriate network security be ensured when integrating cellular solutions?

- How will the IT team manage, control, and update cellular endpoints once deployed?

- How long will it take to complete the deployment across all locations?

- How can you prepare for the worst-case security scenario associated with this project?

## Quick check:

### Where does your agency stand regarding these key networking needs for sites, IoT, and fleets?

| Offices, sites, and stations | Seeking solution | Solution in place |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bandwidth augmentation |  |  |
| Dedicated networks or network slices for critical traffic |  |  |
| Hybrid WAN (public/private cellular, wired, and/or satellite) for remote sites |  |  |
| Out-of-band management from wired WAN link |  |  |
| Primary cellular networks when wired is unavailable |  |  |
| SD-WAN capabilities for intelligent traffic optimization |  |  |

| Remote IoT and SCADA | Seeking solution | Solution in place |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cellular routers and antennas able to withstand extreme conditions |  |  |
| Coverage for surveillance and security monitoring |  |  |
| Multi-WAN capabilities to ensure 24/7 uptime |  |  |
| Network slicing to ensure each type of data is isolated and suitably prioritized |  |  |
| Remote visibility for troubleshooting and updates |  |  |
| Support for diverse connections such as Bluetooth, USB, Serial, GPIO, Modbus, etc. |  |  |
| Support for edge processing |  |  |
| Zero trust security, including remote and third-party access |  |  |

| Mobile crews and fleets | Seeking solution | Solution in place |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cellular routers and antennas able to withstand extreme conditions |  |  |
| Dual modems for SD-WAN functionality and cellular and/or satellite failover |  |  |
| Network access while in transit and at service sites |  |  |
| Real-time connectivity for task support and man-down alerts |  |  |
| Reliable connectivity for AVL tracking and geolocation, even in remote areas |  |  |
| Zero trust network access to applications for internal users and contractors |  |  |

### Let’s discuss cellular and security for your business

[Connect with us](/about/contact-us/)

## Additional resources

[/resources/utilities-campaign/the-case-for-5g-in-electric-utility-networks/](/resources/utilities-campaign/the-case-for-5g-in-electric-utility-networks/)

- The case for 5G in electric utility networks

![A stronger signal for a steadier grid](https://images.contentstack.io/v3/assets/blt2588e757607604a2/blt31a4c05b2362d170/6a6b7b5a34c91d7e7e6e91a0/selmco-webpage-1200x675.png)

### A stronger signal for a steadier grid

[/customer-stories/stronger-signal-for-steadier-grid/](/customer-stories/stronger-signal-for-steadier-grid/)

[/resources/how-utilities-use-lte-and-5g-networks/](/resources/how-utilities-use-lte-and-5g-networks/)

- How utilities use 5G and LTE for digital transformation