Explaining the role of UK cybersecurity watchdog, which says risks from Huawei 5G gear can be limited
- Cybersecurity watchdog has been advising the general public and private sector in the UK, including telecoms operators, about cybersecurity vulnerabilities
Amid mounting pressure from the US and its allies over the security of its networking gear, Huawei Technologies this week received some support from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which has determined that it is possible to “limit the risks from using Huawei” in 5G networks, according to a Financial Times report on Monday citing people familiar with the situation.
This view puts the UK at odds with other members of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance including the US, Australia and New Zealand, which have all barred the use of Huawei equipment on national security grounds.
Canada is currently weighing up Huawei’s possible participation in 5G wireless systems there, and analysts have said the UK view could give it more room for manoeuvre.
Here’s what you need to know about the NCSC:
What does the UK National Cyber Security Centre do?
The London-headquartered NCSC is the British authority on cybersecurity. Established in October 2016, it is an arm of the 100-year-old Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), the country’s signals intelligence agency, tasked to manage the spread of sophisticated cyber threats to the country in the internet age.