The European Commission (EC) is looking into accelerating the implementation and enforcement of 5G security measures across member states to safeguard critical communication networks from foreign interference, according to Henna Virkkunen, the European Union’s (EU) Commissioner for Technological Sovereignty, Security, and Democracy.
Virkkunen emphasized the importance of protecting 5G infrastructure, calling it a priority for the EU.
“5G security is high on our agenda; critical communication cannot be compromised,” Virkkunen said. “The EU will explore ways to speed up the implementation and enforcement of the 5G toolbox. We should also build on this approach for other technologies,” she added.
The 5G Cybersecurity Toolbox was introduced by the European Commission in 2020 to mitigate the risks associated with 5G networks. EU member states agreed to implement measures, including restricting suppliers deemed high-risk, such as China-based Huawei and ZTE, to protect their network infrastructure from potential cyber threats.
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During her confirmation hearing at the European Parliament in November, Virkkunen expressed dissatisfaction with the limited action taken by national governments in restricting high-risk telecom infrastructure providers from critical infrastructure.
In February, she proposed a strategy designed to enhance the security and resilience of submarine cables, citing recent incidents in the Baltic Sea where undersea telecommunications cables were deliberately damaged.
