Western allies adopt 5G security guidelines and warn against outside influence

PRAGUE (Reuters) – Global security officials on Friday agreed to a series of proposals for future 5G networks, highlighting concerns over equipment provided by suppliers likely to be subject to "free shipping." influence of the state.

No supplier has been named, but the United States has asked its allies to limit the role of Chinese telecom equipment manufacturers such as Huawei Technologies, fearing that their equipment could be used by Beijing to purposes of espionage. Huawei denies it.

"The general risk of influence of a third country on a supplier must be taken into account," conference participants in the Czech capital said in a non-binding statement issued on the last day of the two-day meeting.

Representatives from 30 countries of the European Union, NATO and countries such as the United States, Germany, Japan and Australia attended the meeting in order to provide an overview of practices that may constitute a coordinated approach to security measures and shared policy measures.

Diplomatic sources said the participating countries were not ready to sign any documents in Prague because they had not closed the debate on the issue in their country but called on participants to take advantage of impetus given to them.

"It would be a shame if it was a unique event," said Masato Ohtaka, Japan's ambassador to cyber policy.

Neither China nor Huawei were invited to the event, although participants said no country or company had been singled out.

Concerns of some Western countries about Huawei are related to the 2017 National Intelligence Law, which states that "Chinese organizations and citizens must, in accordance with the law, support intelligence activities at the national level, cooperate with them and collaborate with them. "

EU members have until the end of June to assess the cybersecurity risks associated with 5G, which should lead to an evaluation of the entire bloc by the 1st of June. October. EU countries should then agree on risk mitigation measures before the end of the year.

Huawei said it is ready to work with regulators and other stakeholders to create effective rules.

"We are encouraged by the emphasis on research and development, open markets and competition, but we urge policymakers to avoid measures that would increase bureaucracy and costs and limit the benefits that 5G can bring, "says the release.

"As the EU continues its deliberations, we firmly believe that any future security principle should be based on verifiable facts and technical data."

The final document examined the impact of 5G on policy, technology, economics and security, with general recommendations on how best to mitigate potential risks.

"All stakeholders, including industry, need to work together to promote the security and resilience of networks, systems and devices connected to critical national infrastructures," the paper says.

The issue of security is crucial because of the leading role played by 5G in Internet-connected products, ranging from autonomous cars to smart cities to augmented reality and artificial intelligence. If the underlying technology is vulnerable, hackers could exploit these products to spy on or disrupt them.

Europe – where Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Portugal are preparing to auction 5G licenses this year – has become a battleground for Huawei's next-generation technology.