5G networks must be secured from hackers, bad actors, US senator says
The US will need to implement a strategy to protect 5G technology from hackers and state-sponsored bad actors, US Senator Maria Cantwell said at a 5G hearing Wednesday. Cantwell is the top Democrat on the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
"I'm all in for 5G...But in the push for 5G, we need to make sure we're not blind to some of the very important policy issues," Cantwell said at the hearing. "5G networks must be secure, and that starts with having a 5G strategy that focuses on shoring up our defense against hackers and state-sponsored actors."
As part of the proposed strategy, Cantwell said, the Trump administration would need to provide Congress with a "real, quantifiable 5G security threat assessment." In addition, the US would have to ensure the equipment made and used to run 5G networks is secure, and must determine whether to ban "foreign bad actors" from the 5G supply chain. Cantwell also said the US will have to work with international partners to prevent state-sponsored espionage.
