Czech cyber-security agency warns over Huawei, ZTE security threat

A Czech cyber-security agency is warning against using Huawei and ZTE technologies because they pose a threat to state security.

The Chinese nightmare is rapidly spreading among European countries, now a Czech cyber-security agency is warning against using the equipment manufactured by Chinese firms Huawei and ZTE because they pose a threat to state security.

“The main issue is a legal and political environment of the People’s Republic of China, where (the) aforementioned companies primarily operate,” reads a statement issued by the Czech National Cyber and Information Security Agency.

“China’s laws, among other things, require private companies residing in China to cooperate with intelligence services, therefore introducing them into the key state systems might present a threat,” 

According to the Czech News Agency (CTK), the Czech branch of the Chinese Telco giant Huawei refused any accusation and asked the agency to offer proof of the alleged espionage activities for the Chinese intelligence. 

“The warning comes on the heels of a Czech intelligence report which warned about increased spying activities of Chinese diplomats in the EU and NATO member state of 10.6 million people.” reported the AFP press.

The US first, and many other countries after, have decided to ban network equipment manufactured by the Chinese telecom giant Huawei.

In November 2018, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US Government was urging its allies, including Germany, to exclude Huawei from critical infrastructure and 5G architectures.

The Chinese firm was already excluded by several countries from building their 5G internet networks. The United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan announced the exclusion of Huawei technology for their 5G internet networks.

The United States is highlighting the risks for national security in case of adoption of Huawei equipment and is inviting internet providers and telco operators in allied countries to ban the company.

Now Germany’s IT watchdog has expressed its opinion about the ban of the Huawei technology, it has highlighted that there is no evidence that the equipment could be used by Chinese intelligence in cyber espionage activity.

On Friday, the head of Germany’s Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), Arne Schoenbohm admitted that since now there is no proof espionage activity conducted through Huawei technology.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – Chinese intelligence, cyberespionage)

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