UK criticises security of Huawei products
A UK government report into Huawei’s broadband and mobile infrastructure equipment has concluded that it has “only limited assurance” that the kit poses no threat to national security
The investigation revealed shortcomings in the Chinese firm’s engineering processes, which it said “have exposed new risks in UK telecoms networks”.
It added that “significant work” was required to tackle the issues.
In response, Huawei acknowledged there were “some areas for improvement”.
A spokesman for the firm added: “We are grateful for this feedback and are committed to addressing these issues.
“Cyber-security remains Huawei’s top priority, and we will continue to actively improve our engineering processes and risk management systems.”
Huawei is the world’s biggest producer of telecoms equipment and is a major supplier of broadband and mobile network gear in Britain.
The report was written by the Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Centre (HCSEC), which was set up in 2010 in response to concerns that BT and others’ use of the firm’s equipment could pose a threat.
The body is overseen by UK security officials, including ones from spy agency GCHQ.
The news comes as the US steps up efforts to ban Huawei’s equipment from its country’s networks.
Australia is also considering banning the firm from being involved in its planned 5G network, over concerns that Beijing could force the firm to hand over sensitive data.
This is the UK’s fourth annual report into Huawei. The previous three concluded that any risks posed by the firm to the UK’s national security “had been mitigated”.