What is Jamming?

Jamming is a form of cyberattack that disrupts or blocks wireless communication. The simplest, and most prevalent, mode of jamming is to broadcast a high-powered wireless signal that drowns out the signal of interest. Any wireless network – including 5G, GPS/GNSS, LMR, and Wi-Fi – can be jammed. When user devices are targeted, only those users are affected, but when the wireless networks are targeted, the entire coverage area and many users can be compromised.  Jamming is often malicious, introduced by bad actors with criminal intent.

Sources of Interference
A jamming device creates RF interference for wireless networks, and in the wider context of interference sources, is just one specific type. TV broadcast towers, faulty electrical/industrial equipment, and other wireless networks also cause interference – although their operation is legitimate and the interference is unintentional. These sources are usually persistent and will continue over a long period of time. Regardless of intent, both jamming and unintentional interference jeopardize communication not only for civilians, but also for first responders, public safety, and national defense/ homeland security for whom wireless communications is mission-critical.

Protecting 5G networks
A range of interference mitigation and cancellation techniques are used to combat and defend against different jamming and interference sources and scenarios.  Intentional and malicious jamming is illegal, but unfortunately growing in occurrence and becoming all too common. ISCO’s mission is to defend 5G networks, public or private, against jamming and other forms of RF interference.