Network expansion: the 5G age is just beginning
Photo: Rolf Vennenbernd / DPAFor the construction and operation of telecommunications networks, strict security requirements are to apply in Germany in the future - however, there are no plans to exclude certain manufacturers. On Tuesday, the Federal Network Agency published a draft for a new security catalog that was drawn up together with the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) and the Federal Data Protection Officer, which among other things provides for the certification of critical components. In addition, declarations of trust should be obtained from manufacturers and system suppliers.
According to the catalog, companies should be obliged, for example, to ensure that confidential information from their customers does not "get abroad at their own initiative or at the instigation of third parties, or that foreign bodies do not gain knowledge of them in Germany". Violations of the declarations should therefore be punished with contractual penalties.
When planning and setting up the networks, the catalog provides that "monocultures" are avoided by using critical network and system components from different manufacturers. "In particular, critical network functions and network elements should not be dependent on a single provider of critical components due to the network topology implemented," it says.
Dispute over Huawei's role
One of the main points of contention in Germany is the involvement of the Chinese manufacturer Huawei in setting up the networks for the new 5G mobile communications standard. Huawei is one of the world's largest telecommunications equipment suppliers and a leader in 5G technology. The USA in particular accuse Huawei of being too close to the authorities in Beijing: They have therefore excluded the Chinese group from setting up their 5G mobile networks.
In July, Great Britain also announced that it would prohibit mobile operators from buying Huawei technology for the 5G expansion from the end of this year. In addition, all components from the Chinese manufacturer that have already been used are to be removed from the network by 2027 to ensure its security. Huawei wrongly sees itself in the pillory, the company vehemently denies the allegations.
Network Agency President Jochen Homann confirmed to the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" that from the point of view of his authority there was no reason to exclude Huawei from the outset. "We have taken all precautions so that only trustworthy technology is used," he said last month.
Special protection for critical functions
BSI President Arne Schönbohm stated on Tuesday that 5G was "an essential technological basis for successful digitization". The prerequisite for this is "a balanced level of information security as part of comprehensive risk management". The new security catalog should therefore ensure "that modern, powerful and secure 5G networks can be set up and operated".
The Vice President of the Federal Network Agency, Wilhelm Eschweiler, emphasized that it was "important to protect the integrity of information and communication systems against threats and to establish the highest security standards". To this end, "critical functions for telecommunications networks and services should have a particularly high level of protection".
In this context, the Federal Network Agency started a consultation on Tuesday on a "list of critical functions for infrastructures with increased risk potential, such as the area of" transport and information flow control ". This list is to be continuously updated in the future; according to the Federal Network Agency, statements can be made by the end of September .
The draft for the safety catalog will now be submitted to the EU Commission for notification. Changes could still be made until this process is completed, the authority said.
Icon: The mirrormbö / AFP
