2023-05-02 18:52:02
Switzerland must be able to prohibit suppliers of foreign digital components. The National supported by 145 votes against 44 a socialist motion that fears the influence of authoritarian states like China. The Council of States will still have to decide.
“We want more security for our critical infrastructure like 5G mobile phone networks,” said Jon Pult (PS / GR). The world is dangerous and geopolitical tensions are rising; the Federal Council must have the instruments in the field of information technology (ICT).
According to the motion of the Socialist Group, the Federal Council is responsible for creating the legal basis so that the use of ICT components can be prohibited if the suppliers of these components are under the direct or indirect control of the government of a State, in particular of an autocratic state.
The text expressly targets China and the Huawei company. A network equipment manufacturer like Huawei, whose relations with the autocratic regime of the People’s Republic of China have not yet been clarified, should in the future guarantee the reliability of its components and its independence from the Chinese state. Otherwise, he could be excluded from participating in the operation of Switzerland’s critical infrastructures.
Karin Keller-Sutter opposed the motion. This is an important restriction. It is true that many of these components are supplied by companies that are under the more or less strict control of their government. This reality creates risks with regard to the reliability of the products in question.
In order to reduce these risks, it is possible to require the provision of proof of reliability, in particular through directives aimed at guaranteeing the certification of IT products and compliance with information security principles during their use.
For example, the Federal Council is already planning to impose such measures on operators of 5G mobile networks with the amendment to the Ordinance on Telecommunications Services (OST).
Before considering banning products from certain vendors, these risks should first be identified and properly assessed. To this end, the National Center for Cyber Security works with partner organizations such as the National Test Institute for Cyber Security in Zug.
ATS
1683070367
#National #favor #Lex #Huawei