Prague 5G Security Principles Released; Huawei Goes Unmentioned

The Prague 5G Security Conference released a set of proposals Friday for making 5G networks more secure, emphasizing a cooperative approach to security, with each nation free to develop its own policies. No suppliers were named. The U.S. has repeatedly raised concerns about Chinese equipment maker Huawei, which continues to grow its share of the worldwide smartphone market. Huawei didn’t comment and China wasn’t invited to the conference. The document says each nation must develop its own policies, which should consider “the overall risk of influence on a supplier by a third country.” The U.S. and 31 other countries attended the conference, hosted by the Czech government. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai spoke Thursday (see 1905020011). The statement appears to address U.S. concerns that Chinese banks are working with equipment suppliers to finance networks in other countries (see 1902060056). “Communication networks and network services should be financed openly and transparently using standard best practices in procurement, investment, and contracting,” the statement says. Networks and services “should be designed with resilience and security in mind,” the document says. “They should be built and maintained using international, open, consensus-based standards and risk-informed cybersecurity best practices. Clear globally interoperable cyber security guidance that would support cyber security products and services in increasing resilience of all stakeholders should be promoted.” Security is more than a technical issue, the statement says: “A safe, secure and resilient infrastructure requires adequate national strategies, sound policies, a comprehensive legal framework and dedicated personnel … trained and educated appropriately.” The U.S. government “supports” the Prague 5G Security Conference's set of proposals for making 5G networks more secure and plans to use them “as a guide to ensure our shared prosperity and security,” the White House said. The conference was “an extremely productive meeting on the need for secure telecommunications networks as the game-changing” 5G becomes “the new global system.” The FCC didn't comment.