European Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasized the need for more EU member states to adhere to the bloc’s cybersecurity guidelines, stating that banning Chinese telecommunications companies Huawei and ZTE from EU 5G networks is justified and aligns with EU regulations. According to the European Commission, most EU countries have been too slow in excluding high-risk 5G vendors, prompting concerns. In a progress report on the implementation of the bloc’s cybersecurity recommendations, Breton called for swift action in reducing critical dependencies and vulnerabilities.
Breton highlighted the importance of reducing critical dependencies and risks, drawing parallels with the EU’s efforts to diminish reliance on Russian gas and oil in other critical sectors. He stressed that maintaining critical dependencies could pose a significant threat to common security. The progress report revealed that only 10 EU member states have imposed restrictions on high-risk suppliers, while three others are in the process of implementing national legislation. Breton urged EU countries to swiftly adopt legislation that bans high-risk telecom suppliers like Huawei.
Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission’s executive vice-president, acknowledged the progress made by some member states but emphasized the need for further action, as indicated in the report. She reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to ensuring security in its own networks and funding instruments. The guidelines on 5G cybersecurity, established in 2020, include assessing the risk profile of suppliers and strengthening security requirements for mobile network operators. While EU countries have agreed to these guidelines, their implementation remains pending.
The United States has been vocal about the national security risks associated with Chinese telecom companies in 5G networks. Former US defense secretary Mark Esper warned about the vulnerability of critical systems to disruption, manipulation, and espionage when relying on Chinese 5G vendors. Last year, the US banned the sale and import of communications equipment from five Chinese companies, including Huawei and ZTE. Concerns about the threat posed by Chinese companies stem, in part, from China’s National Intelligence Law of 2017, which grants the government the authority to access data from Chinese companies upon request.
Huawei has countered these concerns by stating that both lawyers and the Chinese government have clarified that the law does not compel them to hand over data. Nonetheless, the EU stands firm in its support for implementing the cybersecurity guidelines and urging member states to take swift action in banning high-risk suppliers to ensure the security of their 5G networks.
SOURCE: Image Ref From Reuters
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