Telecom and mobile carrier networks are prime targets for state-sponsored threat actors. Compromising network infrastructure enables espionage today—and creates leverage for disruption tomorrow. As 5G, edge computing, and AI accelerate network complexity, security leaders must move beyond availability-first models to infrastructure that is resilient by design. 

This briefing brings together senior security leaders from service providers and mobile carriers for an in-depth briefing on state-sponsored threats, infrastructure hardening, and scalable security strategies for 5G- and AI-era networks. 

Inside Salt Typhoon: Cisco Talos examines how advanced threat actors target and compromise telecom environments. Learn practical approaches to reducing attack surface, limiting legacy exposure, and increasing upgrade and response velocity—without depending on perfect patch cycles. 

Hardening and Securing Carrier Infrastructure: Gain insight into Resilient Infrastructure: a secure-by-default approach to eliminating insecure capabilities and raising baseline security across carrier networks, presented by Cisco’s Security & Trust Organization. 

Changing the Economics of Security at Scale: An operator-focused discussion on security economics at scale—lowering cost per protected throughput and reducing footprint and power so security can expand without becoming a growth tax. 

Agenda (PST) 

9:00–9:05 | Welcome 
Context-setting on state-sponsored threats and security priorities for 5G and AI-era carrier networks. 
9:05–9:35 | Inside Salt Typhoon: Talos Threat Briefing 
How state-sponsored actors exploit carrier infrastructure today. 
9:35–9:50 | Q&A with Talos 
Moderated discussion with Cisco Talos experts. 
9:50–10:20 | Resilient Infrastructure 
Practical hardening strategies grounded in real telco environments. 
10:20–11:35 | Changing the Economics of Security at Scale 
How to raise infrastructure security baselines by design and scale security across 5G and AI networks without proportional cost increases. 
11:35–11:40 | Closing 
Executive wrap-up and final questions.