Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 40 | Page 76

TELECOMS WATCHDOG , OFCOM , WILL BE GIVEN STRONGER POWERS TO MONITOR AND ASSESS OPERATORS ’ SECURITY , ALONGSIDE ENFORCING COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW LAW .
INDUSTRY WATCH

TELECOMS WATCHDOG , OFCOM , WILL BE GIVEN STRONGER POWERS TO MONITOR AND ASSESS OPERATORS ’ SECURITY , ALONGSIDE ENFORCING COMPLIANCE WITH THE NEW LAW .

New codes of practice will demonstrate how certain providers should comply with their legal obligations . These will be published once the Bill has received Royal Assent .
Telecoms watchdog , Ofcom , will be given stronger powers to monitor and assess operators ’ security , alongside enforcing compliance with the new law .
This will include carrying out technical testing , interviewing staff and entering operators ’ premises to view equipment and documents .
Markets across the world have become overly reliant on too few vendors due to a lack of competition in the global telecoms supply chain . out in secondary legislation , but are likely to involve companies acting to :
• Securely design , build and maintain sensitive equipment in the core of providers ’ networks which controls how they are managed
• Reduce the risks that equipment supplied by thirdparties in the telecoms supply chain is unreliable or could be used to facilitate cyberattacks
• Carefully control who has permission to access sensitive core network equipment on site as well as the software that manages networks
• Make sure they are able to carry out security audits and put governance in place to understand the risks facing their public networks and services
• Keep networks running for customers and free from interference , while ensuring confidential customer data is protected when it is sent between different parts of the network
The government has been engaging extensively with operators , vendors and governments around the world and addresses this head-on in its 5G Diversification Strategy .
The strategy outlines new measures to boost competition and innovation in the telecoms supply chain and reduce dependence on individual suppliers .
NCSC Technical Director , Dr Ian Levy , said : “ The rollout of 5G and gigabit broadband presents great opportunities for the UK , but as we benefit from these we need to improve security in our national networks and operators need to know what is expected of them .
“ We are committed to driving up standards and this bill imposes new telecoms security requirements , which will help operators make better risk management decisions .” p
76 INTELLIGENTCIO EUROPE www . intelligentcio . com