EU-wide security approach planned for 5G

The European Commission (EC) has outlined plans to establish a common European Union approach to the security of 5G networks.

The EC has recommended a series of operational steps and measures aimed at ensuring a high level of security of 5G networks across the EU.

The recommendations for EU member states include legislative and policy measures designed to protect the nations’ economies, societies and democratic systems.

As part of the program, the EC has recommended that each member state complete a national risk assessment of 5G network infrastructures by the end of June.

Member states have also been urged to update their respective security requirements for network providers and include conditions for ensuring the security of public networks, especially when granting 5G spectrum licenses.

At the EU level, the Commission and the European Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has been tasked with completing a coordinated risk assessment by the start of October, which will be used to help member states agree to a set of mitigating measures that can be used at a national level.

“Protecting 5G networks aims at protecting the infrastructure that will support vital societal and economic functions – such as energy, transport, banking, and health, as well as the much more automated factories of the future,” commented European Commissioner in charge of the digital economy and society Mariya Gabriel.

“It also means protecting our democratic processes, such as elections, against interference and the spread of disinformation.”