Huawei says 5G network security is a technical issue and not a country one, responding to Prague proposals

Huawei Technologies said it is committed to the importance of cybersecurity as it pertains to technical network standards after security officials from more than 30 western countries agreed to a set of proposals in Prague for future 5G networks, without the participation of Chinese delegates.

“Huawei shares government commitments to cybersecurity. We believe the collaborative approach shown at the conference will be critical to ensuring the security of global 5G networks,” said the world’s largest telecommunications equipment provider in a statement on Monday. “We are encouraged by the conference’s emphasis on the importance of research and development, open markets and competition.”

On Friday, representatives from 30 EU and Nato member countries, including the US, Australia and Germany attended the meeting in Prague and agreed to broad, non-binding Prague Proposals, which outline a coordinated approach to shared security and policy measures – noting concerns about equipment supplied by vendors that might be subject to state influence.

“The overall risk of influence on a supplier by a third country should be taken into account,” the proposals say, adding that the risk assessment of a supplier’s products should take into account all relevant factors, including the applicable legal environment and other aspects of a supplier’s ecosystem.

Neither China or Huawei were invited to the event, although participants said no country or company was being singled out, according to a Reuters report. Countries taking part did not sign any documents in Prague because they have not concluded debates about the issues at home although participants were called on to seize the momentum, according to the report, which cited diplomatic sources.

“We believe the cybersecurity issue is a technical one at its core, which needs to be addressed through technical means,” said Huawei.