Cybersecurity‐Driven Strategy: Resilient Base Stations Deployment for Robust Open RAN 5G/6G Networks

ABSTRACT The proliferation of Open Radio Access Network (O‐RAN) architectures in 5G/6G networks introduces unprecedented cybersecurity challenges. Strategic base station deployment constitutes a fundamental determinant of network security posture and cyberattack resilience. In this paper, a novel cybersecurity‐driven deployment strategy for resilient base station positioning using an intelligent Resilient Ant Colony Optimization (iResACO) algorithm. The algorithm integrates security considerations directly into deployment optimization, employing bio‐inspired collective intelligence to discover patterns that balance coverage efficiency with attack resilience. Through extensive simulations in a 3.6 km 3.6 km urban environment in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, experimental results demonstrate superior performance achieving 92.04% overall effectiveness with 96.0% coverage probability and 100% critical infrastructure protection. Under various cyberattack scenarios ranging from random to coordinated sophisticated attacks, the algorithm maintains coverage above 87% while preserving complete protection of critical facilities. The proposed approach provides a practical framework for deploying secure, resilient 5G/6G networks capable of withstanding evolving cyber threats while ensuring uninterrupted service to essential infrastructure.