On Friday, the Federal Communications Commission, announced it has adopted new rules banning communications equipment from several Chinese companies from being imported to or sold in the United States. They reasoned the ban was due to the “unacceptable risk to national security.”
In an interview with Bloomberg Technology News, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, said regarding the critical nature of this ban –
“this is important because national security and network security now go hand in hand”
-Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC Chairwoman
In the interview she went on to discuss that the FCC’s findings, which resulted in a unanimous vote, were based on strongly documented evidence from both the executive branch as well as congress. Rosenworcel also added that because these companies have deep ties to the Chinese government, they are under obligation, because of Chinese national security laws, to share information that they collect on their equipment, when asked. This of course puts America’s national security, largely at risk.
Rosenworcel describes this move, as part of the overall process, that includes-
Like having an internet Trojan horse, with the ongoing possibility of a domestic internet assault, these companies
looking back, should have been completely banned, when they sought more access to the U.S. That they are finally being called out and cut off, is very strategically time critical. Hopefully their equipment already in place will be removed without delay.
Therefore, prohibiting equipment sales and services from Chinese electronics companies ZTE Corporation, and Huawei Technologies, as well as two-way radio maker Hytera Communications, together with their connected-camera providers Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Dahua Technology, including their subsidiaries and affiliates, is an active step toward protecting our U.S. national security.
Effectively, these rules implement the Secure Equipment Act of 2021, which was sponsored by Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA), and signed into law by President Biden back in November 2021. In a statement, the FCC said-
“The FCC is committed to protecting our national security by ensuring that untrustworthy communications equipment is not authorized for use within our borders, and we are continuing that work here,” adding…“These new rules are an important part of our ongoing actions to protect the American people from national security threats involving telecommunications,”
-Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC Chairwoman
As noted previously, this series of FCC initiatives, to keep U.S. networks secure, will prohibit the use of public funds to purchase covered equipment or services; launch the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program to remove insecure equipment, that has been previously installed in U.S. networks; revoke operating authorities for Chinese state-owned carriers; updating the process for approving submarine cable licenses; and launching inquiries on IoT security and internet outing security. These welcome safeguards, though long overdue, address the unseen U.S. vulnerabilities that China has long preyed on. Hopefully, they will be implemented without delay.
This attention to China’s access to U.S. national security, cannot be understated, in its importance. That they have been successful in infiltrating our network access to date, is a sobering thought. This is one area of vigilance that cannot be allowed to be neglected – Americas security depends on it. Where China is involved, everything needs scrutiny.
“Believe nothing and be on your guard against everything”
-Latin Proverb