White House Report on 5G Security Offers Few Details

The White House posted a 5G security report Tuesday, providing a high-level overview of efforts to secure networks. Industry and government officials said in interviews Wednesday the White House likely would have released the report as part of its planned April 1 5G summit, which was expected to focus on open networks, but posted it after postponing the event because of the COVID-19 pandemic (see 2003170004). The White House hasn't released its long-term national spectrum strategy, which had been expected last year. “5G infrastructure will be an attractive target for criminals and foreign adversaries due to the large volume of data it transmits and processes as well as the support that 5G will provide to critical infrastructure,” the report said. It sought speeding the rollout of 5G, assessing cybersecurity risks, “addressing risks to United States economic and national security during development and deployment of 5G infrastructure worldwide” and “promoting responsible global development and deployment of secure and reliable 5G infrastructure.” The report highlights work by the FCC and the National Economic Council and companies' role. The U.S. “will participate in the development of international 5G security principles through frameworks, such as the Prague 5G Security Conference,” the document said: The U.S. must play a role in international standards. “It’s very bare bones, thin on details,” said Lindsay Gorman, fellow with the German Marshall Fund’s Alliance for Securing Democracy. “I would like to see some more specifics on what relative agencies … will take a lead and how this coordination will happen.” The federal government has focused on rolling out 5G and making spectrum available and a “big diplomatic push,” particularly in Europe, to get other countries to exclude Chinese vendors from their networks, Gorman noted: “This document incorporates those objectives.” It’s positive the administration puts some focus on international standards, Gorman said. The report “takes a baby step” toward recognizing the U.S. needs to do more, she said. “I don’t think there’s anything new,” emailed Zack Cooper, China expert at the American Enterprise Institute. “This overview is a good first step, and it is good to see the White House continue to engage here, but this issue deserves more substance,” said Information Technology and Innovation Foundation Broadband and Spectrum Policy Director Doug Brake. The White House and FCC didn't comment.