Lawmakers express doubt about Huawei's cybersecurity division, known as "the Cell"
In a recent report, the Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) of the UK has expressed concerns about the process for considering foreign investment in critical national infrastructure, specifically focusing on Huawei's involvement in the country.
The committee has questioned the independence of Huawei's cyber security audit unit, known as "the Cell," and suggested that a self-policing arrangement is unlikely to provide the required levels of security assurance. Huawei has yet to respond to an invitation to comment on the report.
The Cell, based in Banbury, is a cyber security evaluation centre for Huawei's own network equipment. Established in 2010, it is staffed entirely by Huawei employees, including its director who is the former deputy director of the UK's communications security agency GCHQ.
The committee's concerns stem from the decision of officials not to consult ministers on the Huawei issue. This oversight has been particularly concerning given the critical nature of the 21st Century Network project, which the government considers as critical national infrastructure.
The ISC has called for an urgent review of the Cell and recommended that it be staffed by GCHQ employees. The committee also found that security concerns about Huawei had already been acknowledged when the company was appointed as a supplier to the 21st Century Network project in 2003.
The UK government's response to the report acknowledges that the processes of 2005 needed improving and updating. The government has developed a process to assess the risks associated with foreign investment into the UK, but the committee questions the robustness of these processes.
The US and Australian governments have taken precautions against Huawei, while the UK government has been relatively welcoming to the company. Huawei launched a substantial PR campaign in the UK and pledged to invest £1.2 billion. However, some media commentary suggested that Huawei's investment in the UK was motivated by its broader objective to break into the US market.
The ISC has examined the process through which Huawei came to be appointed as a supplier to the 21st Century Network project. The governance structures and working practices in place now address these risks, including supply chain threats to the telecommunications infrastructure.
Concerns about Huawei's cyber security have been a global issue, with various countries scrutinizing the company's involvement in critical infrastructure due to potential risks of espionage and data compromise. Typically, such concerns could involve issues like backdoors, data access, and the influence of Chinese state policies on Huawei's operations. For more specific information on the UK government's response to these concerns, it would be necessary to consult recent news articles or official statements from relevant authorities.
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