Secure 5G networks: EU toolbox - background guide

29 January 2020
by eub2 -- last modified 30 January 2020

The Commission endorsed on 29 January the joint toolbox of mitigating measures agreed by EU Member States to address security risks related to the rollout of 5G, the fifth-generation of mobile networks.

Why is the cybersecurity of 5G networks important?

As a major enabler for future digital services, 5G will play a key role in the development of our digital economy and society in the years to come. From personalised medicine to precision agriculture, from smart energy grids to connected mobility, 5G will potentially affect almost every aspect of EU citizens' lives. At the same time, due to its less centralised architecture, smart computing power at the edge, the need for more antennas and increased dependency on software, 5G networks offer more potential entry points for attackers. Therefore, ensuring the security of the EU's future 5G networks is of utmost importance.

While operators are largely responsible for the secure rollout of 5G, and Member States are responsible for national security, network security is an issue of strategic importance for the entire EU. A coordinated approach based on robust security measures at national and EU level will help Europe to remain one of the leading regions in the 5G deployment.

What is the EU toolbox on 5G Cybersecurity about?

The objective of the EU toolbox on 5G Cybersecurity is to identify a coordinated European approach based on a common set of measures, aimed at mitigating the main cybersecurity risks of 5G networks that were identified in the EU coordinated risk assessment report. It also intends to provide guidance in the selection and prioritisation of measures that should be part of national and EU risk mitigation plans. The ultimate goal is to create a robust and objective framework of security measures, which will ensure an adequate level of cybersecurity of 5G networks across the EU, through coordinated approaches among Member States. The approach taken is a risk-based one and solely on security grounds. This approach is in full respect of the openness of the EU internal Market as long as the EU security requirements are respected.

Which are the main conclusions of the toolbox?

The toolbox recommends a set of key actions for the Member States and/or the Commission.

Member States agreed to ensure that they have measures in place (including relevant powers for national authorities) to respond appropriately and proportionately to the risks already identified as well as possible future risks. In particular, they agreed to ensure that they would be able to restrict, prohibit, and/or impose specific requirements and conditions, in accordance with a risk-based approach, for the supply, deployment, and operation of 5G network equipment. In particular, they should:

Strengthen security requirements for mobile network operators (e.g. strict access controls, rules on secure operation and monitoring, limitations on outsourcing of specific functions, etc.);
Assess the risk profile of suppliers; as a consequence, apply relevant restrictions for suppliers considered to be high risk - including necessary exclusions to effectively mitigate risks - for key assets defined as critical and sensitive in the EU-wide coordinated risk assessment (e.g. core network functions, network management and orchestration functions, and access network functions);
Ensure that each operator has an appropriate multi-vendor strategy to avoid or limit any major dependency on a single supplier (or suppliers with a similar risk profile), ensure an adequate balance of suppliers at national level and avoid dependency on suppliers considered to be high risk; this also requires avoiding any situations of lock-in with a single supplier, including by promoting greater interoperability of equipment;

The toolbox recommends that the Commission, together with Member States, should contribute to:

Maintaining a diverse and sustainable 5G supply chain in order to avoid long-term dependency, including by:

o Making full use of the existing EU tools and instruments, in particular through the screening of potential foreign direct investments (FDIs) affecting 5G key assets and by avoiding distortions in the 5G supply market stemming from potential dumping or subsidies; and

o Further strengthening EU capacities in the 5G and post-5G technologies, by using relevant EU programmes and funding.

Facilitating coordination between Member states regarding standardisation to achieve specific security objectives and developing relevant EU-wide certification scheme(s) in order to promote more secure products and processes.

What are the different types of measures identified in the EU toolbox?

For each of the nine risk areas identified in the EU coordinated risk assessment report, the toolbox identifies and provides risk mitigation plans. They consist of possible combinations of strategic and technical measures.

Strategic measures identified in the toolbox range from measures concerning increased regulatory powers for authorities to scrutinise network procurement and deployment, specific measures to address risks related to non-technical vulnerabilities (e.g. risk of interference by non-EU state or state-backed actors), to assessing the risk profile of suppliers and promoting initiatives to support the development of sustainable and diverse 5G suppliers.
Technical measures identified in the toolbox range from ensuring strict access control and secure network management, operation and monitoring to using certification for 5G network components and/or processes.
Supporting actions cover actions in the area of 5G standards, reinforcing testing and auditing capabilities, improving the coordination efforts in case of incidents, or making sure that cybersecurity risks are fully taken into account in EU-funded 5G projects. These supporting actions can enable, assist and enhance the effectiveness of the strategic and technical measures.

What is a risk mitigation plan?

Are the toolbox measures mandatory?

The EU toolbox on 5G cybersecurity is a document prepared and agreed by the NIS Cooperation Group, which consists of representatives of all Member States authorities, the Commission and the EU Cybersecurity Agency. The development of a coordinated EU approach on 5G cybersecurity relies on the strong commitment by both Member States and the Commission to use and fully implement a key set of recommended measures. The toolbox sets out a precise and objective methodology to address the risks identified in the European risk assessment published in October 2019, while respecting national competences in this area.

At the same time, the roll-out and operation of 5G networks is a matter of national security. Member States can go further than what is proposed in the toolbox where they identify a need to do so.

How will the EU toolbox be implemented?

An appropriate combination of various types of measures is needed to effectively mitigate the identified risks. Indeed, Member States will need to take a range of mitigation actions to effectively address the security risks related to 5G networks. Measures may be implemented through national and/or EU actions, depending on the specific measure and actions. Some measures may be directly introduced or reinforced at national level, while others may require further or joint action at EU level, in line with the respective national and EU competences.

Does the toolbox address the risk of interference from a third country?

The toolbox addresses all risks identified in the EU coordinated risk assessment, including risks related to the interference from a third country via the 5G supply chain. It does not target any supplier or country in particular. To mitigate this particular risk, the toolbox recommends that all Member States take the following steps:

(1) assess the risk profile of suppliers, having regard to criteria set out in the EU-wide coordinated risk assessment;

(2) as a consequence, apply relevant restrictions for suppliers considered to be high risk - including necessary exclusions to effectively mitigate risks - for key assets defined as critical and sensitive (e.g. core network functions, network management and orchestration functions, and access network functions).

How does the Commission Communication complement the EU toolbox?

The Commission Communication endorses the EU toolbox and proposes a way forward for its implementation.Moreover, theCommission will act, as requested in the toolbox, using, where appropriate, all the tools at its disposal to ensure the security of the 5G infrastructure and supply chain, including:

Telecoms and cybersecurity rules, e.g. support under electronic communications rules, including consideration of implementing acts on technical and organisational security measures;
Coordination on standardisation, e.g. regarding participation in standardisation bodies, and promoting interoperability though open interfaces
EU-wide certification, under the EU Cybersecurity Act;
foreign direct investment screening to protect the European 5G supply chain;
trade defence instruments: market monitoring and action to protect EU actors in 5G market against potential trade distorting practices (dumping or subsidisation);
competition rules: market monitoring to ensure competitive outcomes, including in relation to potential lock-in situations;
public procurement, ensuring that due consideration is given to security aspects when awarding public contracts, as well as through EU funding programmes, and ensuring that beneficiaries comply with relevant security requirements.
Making full use of incident response and crisis management frameworks at EU level, in response to large-scale cybersecurity incidents.
Increase investments in research innovation and deployment technologies

What instruments are available at EU level to protect 5G networks?

The EU already has a range of instruments to protect electronic communications networks:

Under the EU telecommunications framework, obligations can be imposed on telecommunication operators. Member States are required to ensure the integrity and security of public communications networks and that public communications networks or services take measures to manage security risks. The framework also provides that competent national regulatory authorities have powers to issue binding instructions and ensure compliance.

The European Electronic Communications Code that will replace the current framework as of 21 December 2020 maintains and extends the security provisions of the current framework and introduces definitions on the security of networks and services and security incidents. In addition to this, the EECC provides that security measures should take into account all the relevant aspects of certain elements in areas such as security of networks and facilities, handling of security incidents, business continuity management, monitoring, auditing and testing as well as compliance with international standards.

The NIS Directiverequires operators of essential services in other fields (energy, finance, healthcare, transport, digital service providers, etc.) to take appropriate security measures and to notify serious incidents to the relevant national authority. The NIS Directive also foresees coordination between Member States in case of cross-border incidents affecting operators in its scope. The Commission Work Programme adopted today announces the review of the Directive before the end of 2020.

The Cybersecurity Act, which entered into force in June 2019, creates a framework for European cybersecurity certification schemes for products, processes and services. Once in place, certification schemes will also enable producers to demonstrate that they have included specific security features in the early stages of products' design and allow users to ascertain the level of security assurance, on an EU-wide basis. The framework provides an essential supporting tool to promote consistent levels of security. It allows for the development of cybersecurity certification schemes to respond to the needs of users of 5G-related equipment and software.

Furthermore, the Commission will support the implementation of the EU toolbox and will act, as requested by Member States, using all the tools at its disposal to ensure the security of the 5G infrastructure and supply chain, where appropriate (see previous question).

What are the next steps?

As recommended by the NIS Cooperation and supported by the Commission Communication, work will continue within the NIS Cooperation Group. Specifically:

By 30 April 2020, the Commission calls on Member States, to take concrete and measurable steps to implement a set of key measures.
By 30 June 2020, the Commission calls on the NIS Cooperation Group to prepare a report of the state of implementation in each Member State of these key measures.
By 1 October 2020, Member States – in cooperation with the Commission – should assess the effects of the March 2019 Commission Recommendation in order to determine whether there is a need for further action.

Together with the EU Cybersecurity Agency, the Commission says it will continue to provide its full support to the work.

Source: European Commission

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Secure 5G networks: EU toolbox - background guide