NATO Deputy Secretary General addresses Prague 5G Security Conference

“5G networks are the foundation of so many of the new technologies that are transforming our world – and our security – today and in the future… The security and resilience of our telecommunication networks are paramount,” he said, adding that ensuring continuity of these essential services in times of peace, crisis and conflict is “vital for NATO”.

Mr. Geoană outlined a number of key decisions taken by NATO leaders since the 2016 Warsaw Summit, where Allies agreed to enhance societal resilience across seven baseline requirements, including civil communications networks. “At our last Summit this June, Allies agreed a strengthened resilience pledge, to enhance the resilience of our critical infrastructure, industries, supply chains, and communication networks, like 5G,” he said. He noted that Allies are now conducting “thorough risk assessments on an annual basis, to identify and mitigate cyber threats and the consequences of foreign ownership, control or direct investment”, and that at least half of NATO’s member nations have passed legislation covering 5G security. NATO has also “launched an initiative to ensure the security of our own next generation telecommunication networks,” he said.

Addressing an audience of government officials, representatives of international and regional organisations, researchers from universities and think-tanks, as well as subject-matter experts, Mr. Geoană stressed that “we all have a role and responsibility… to build strong societies and resilient economies. Platforms like the Prague 5G Conference play an important part in this regard.”

The Prague 5G Security Conference was founded in 2019 with the aim to raise awareness about the importance of 5G infrastructure in the context of national and international security. The conference is organized by the National Cyber and Information Security Agency of the Czech Republic in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.