Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 30
30
Accepted
Paragraph: 158
The current regulatory situation for network security is outdated and unsatisfactory.
Recommendation
The current regulatory situation for network security is outdated and unsatisfactory. The Telecoms Security Bill is required to bring regulations up to date and allow Government to compel operators to act in the interests of security. The current situation has led to commercial concerns trumping those of national security. The Government should not allow a situation where short-term commercial considerations are placed ahead of those for national security and defence. The Telecoms Security Bill is necessary in order to enhance the Government’s and Government bodies’ regulatory powers and should be published as soon as possible.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government accepts the need for the Telecoms Security Bill, stating it was introduced to Parliament on 24 November 2020, to enhance regulatory powers and ensure national security is prioritised over commercial considerations.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
158
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government · verbatim extract
Accepted
The Government’s most important duty is national security. The Government fully supports the statement that commercial decisions cannot be placed above security, that is one of the reasons that the Telecommunications (Security) Bill has been introduced to parliament. The Bill was introduced to the House of Commons on 24 November 2020. It will ensure that we have the powers we need to drive up security standards and control the presence of high-risk vendors. in the world. At the heart of the security framework will be strengthened security duties which will raise the height of the security bar and set out tough new standards for public telecoms providers to meet in the design and operation of their networks. relation to telecoms security, to allow it to impose new, stringent controls on the presence of high-risk vendors in the UK telecoms networks.
Read the full response on Parliament ↗