{"id":15028,"date":"2012-06-12T08:48:14","date_gmt":"2012-06-12T06:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=15028"},"modified":"2012-06-12T11:52:47","modified_gmt":"2012-06-12T09:52:47","slug":"china-can-shut-down-sas-telecoms-services-us-intelligence-group","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/telecommunications\/15028\/china-can-shut-down-sas-telecoms-services-us-intelligence-group\/","title":{"rendered":"China can shut down SA\u2019s telecoms services: US Intelligence Group"},"content":{"rendered":"

A recent report by the Langley Intelligence Group Network (LIGNET)<\/a> raised concerns about electronic backdoors in Huawei<\/a> and ZTE<\/a> telecoms components, potentially giving these companies the ability to compromise or even shut down networks which use their equipment.<\/p>\n

LIGNET and other sources raised concerns that Huawei and ZTE have direct links to the Chinese government and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).<\/p>\n

According to the reports, these companies can remotely access communications technology that could “disable a country’s telecommunications infrastructure before a military engagement\u201d or \u201csteal technology and trade secrets\u201d.<\/p>\n

According to LIGNET, a US based service providing global intelligence and forecasting from former CIA, U.S. intelligence and national security officers, several countries (including Australia and the UK) have already limited their involvement with Huawei because of security concerns.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew information from a sensitive LIGNET source associated with Huawei seems to validate security concerns about Huawei,\u201d said LIGNET.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis insider recently told LIGNET that Huawei breached protocol, if not security, in dealing with a foreign telecommunications company by using an undisclosed electronic backdoor that allowed it remote access to the company\u2019s equipment without permission, a capability Huawei denied having,\u201d said LIGNET.<\/p>\n

The Chinese provider ZTE also made headlines when a backdoor was discovered on one of their Android<\/a> smartphones.<\/p>\n

South Africa\u2019s strong relationship with Chinese vendors<\/strong><\/p>\n

South African telecommunications companies have a very strong relationship with Huawei and ZTE. Vodacom<\/a>, MTN<\/a>, Telkom<\/a>, 8ta<\/a>, Cell C<\/a> and Neotel<\/a> are all using Huawei and ZTE equipment in their networks.<\/p>\n

If the reports regarding the security concerns prove to be true, large parts of South Africa\u2019s telecommunications networks may be at risk.<\/p>\n

Vodacom, Cell C happy with network security<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Andries<\/a>

Andries Delport<\/p><\/div>\n

Andries Delport<\/a>, Vodacom\u2019s chief technology officer, said that network security is one of their highest priorities.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re always looking at ways to ensure that our network has a high level of protection and that our security measures are world class. We\u2019ve recently worked with Vodafone<\/a> to identify and address potential security concerns and we\u2019re confident that our network is secure,\u201d said Delport.<\/p>\n

Joe Brittz, Cell C’s chief technical officer, said that they are not particularly concerned about their network security following the recent reports about backdoors.<\/p>\n

\u201cNetwork operators are reliant on vendors to provide a certain amount of high-level support and Research and Development (R&D) functions to support their networks. However, there are checks and balances in place to ensure these types of risks are minimized,\u201d said Brittz.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur network is as secure as a network can be. Remote access to the network is controlled and when a risk has been identified, access can fairly easily be removed. The network is monitored 24\/7 and our systems are able to pick up any changes that are made on the system.\u201d<\/p>\n

MTN, Telkom, Neotel and 8ta mum on security concerns<\/strong><\/p>\n

South Africa\u2019s other large network operators were also asked about their network security and whether there are concerns about backdoors in their network equipment, and\u00a0here is their feedback (or lack of it):<\/p>\n