Canadian intelligence agencies CSE and CSIS are divided on Huawei 5G ban

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) are divided over the ban of Huawei 5G technology.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) and the Communications Security Establishment (CSE) agencies are divided over the ban of Huawei 5G technology. Canada, along with the US, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia formed the so-called Five Eyes intelligence-alliance.

In November 2018, The Wall Street Journal reported that the US Government urged its allies to exclude Huawei from critical infrastructure and 5G architectures.

Currently, the Chinese supplier is already prohibited from bidding on government contracts and core network equipment.

According to the Globe and Mail reported Wednesday, the Canadian government asked the intelligence agencies to evaluate the risks related to the adoption of the Huawei 5 equipment for the national telecommunication infrastructure. The agencies were also tasked to evaluate the economic impact for the Canadian telecoms and consumers in replacing and blacklisting Huawei equipment.

The Globe and Mail revealed that according to an unnamed source, the CSIS and the CSE have a different opinion on the ban of Huawei 5G technology.

While CSE suggests the full ban of Huawei 5G equipment from the national infrastructure the CSIS believes the risks associated with the deployment of the Chinese technology can be mitigated with the effective validation and monitoring of the equipment.

“The office of the minister of public safety, Ralph Goodale, declined to comment on Huawei specifically as it relates to its evaluation of emerging 5G technologies.” reported the AFP press.

“But it said in a statement that the government’s review “includes the careful consideration of our allies’ advice” and it “will ensure that our networks are kept secure.””

The relationship between the Chinese and the Canadian government deteriorated following the arrest in Vancouver of a senior Huawei executive on a US warrant that took place in December and the arrest of two Canadian citizens in apparent retaliation.

Experts pointed out that the ban could cost Canadian telecom firms millions of dollars and two of the largest wireless carriers in the country, Bell and Telus, plans to use Huawei equipment in the upcoming 5G infrastructure.

Rogers, the nation’s top carrier announced the use of 5G equipment from Ericsson.

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Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – Huawei 5G, cyberespionage)

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