News / Commentary

COMMENTARY: Former DHS Officials React to EU 5G Risk Assessment Released Yesterday

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Yesterday, the 28 EU member states published a highly-anticipated comprehensive risk assessment exploring the security risks associated with 5G networks. The report highlights the security challenges connected to suppliers’ role in developing 5G networks and the vulnerabilities stemming from reliance on individual, state-backed suppliers. U.S. officials have been stressing the importance of a coordinated approach to 5G security measures, and the EU has demonstrated through this assessment that it is taking a step in the right direction.

Governor Tom Ridge, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and 43rd governor of Pennsylvania, and Nate Snyder, senior counterterrorism official with the U.S. … Read More

COMMENTARY: Chris Cummiskey and Nate Snyder — Cooperation And Standards Setting Is Key To Secure 5G Technology

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On September 29, Government Matters hosted former DHS officials and GCPW advisory board members, Chris Cummiskey and Nate Snyder, to talk about the global 5G network and the implications of Huawei’s involvement. 

Former Under Secretary for Management at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Cummiskey explained the advantage that China currently has over the U.S. in terms of developing this new technology and marketing its low-cost, proprietary software around the world in an effort to dominate the 5G landscape. He urged private and public sector stakeholders to collaborate to ensure that we safeguard the supply  chain from foreign actors who … Read More

COMMENTARY: GCPW Advisory Board Members Warn Against Huawei

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On September 24, 2019, Global Cyber Policy Watch hosted a teleconference connecting three former Department of Homeland Security officials – Governor Tom Ridge, Chris Cummiskey, and Nate Snyder – with the press. Federal Computer Week summarized the key takeaways, noting their warnings: “Huawei’s grip on 5G gear poses a threat to telecommunications infrastructure.”

The goal of the event was to inform the media about the challenges associated with 5G and how security and cooperation play a role in the global 5G rollout. The connection between Huawei and the Chinese state, the need for standardization efforts, and the evolving threat landscape … Read More

Huawei’s Record of Wrongdoing: Top 10 Offenses That Should Cause Pause

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As discussions around 5G networks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities evolve, Huawei has remained a central target of critique. Current concerns surrounding Huawei are borne out of a number of recognized offenses committed by the Chinese 5G leader. Not only does China’s 2017 National Intelligence Law, which requires private organizations and citizens to cooperate with the state’s intelligence efforts, raise a red flag, but Huawei’s past business practices have cause for alarm. In several instances around the world, Huawei has been investigated for fraud and corruption.

Huawei leadership has demonstrated a willingness to engage in sketchy behavior to advance its low-cost technology, … Read More

5G Interoperability 101: How the Adoption of Open, Interoperable Standards of 5G Can Protect Nations from Foreign Adversaries

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As nations throughout the world deploy the next generation of wireless technology, 5G, they must assess and prepare for attacks on this critical communications infrastructure. China’s global expansion into the telecommunications market via companies like Huawei, a technology giant with connections to the People’s Republic of China, poses a credible cyber-threat to these networks and to the overall safety of a nation. The European Commission recognizes these concerns and is currently conducting an EU-wide risk assessment, analyzing the threats that Huawei and other Chinese technology companies present.

Mitigating the Risk:

Huawei, ZTE, and other Chinese companies are subject to a

… Read More

PERSPECTIVE: 5G – A Symbol of Competition to Come

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This piece, by Douglas Lute, originally appeared in The Brussels Times on September 23, 2019. 

The advent of next-generation digital communications, 5G, is a topic of hot debate in Europe today, but the excitement is clouding the big picture.

Ties to Chinese government 

European Union member states recently submitted assessments of the security risks incurred with the introduction of 5G and the newly appointed Commission leadership will take these into account as they shape a European policy and risk mitigation strategy due out at the end of this year. The main concern is that the world’s leading provider of 5G … Read More

COMMENTARY: Nate Snyder Named Next Generation Latino National Security Leader

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This week, New America released its list recognizing Latino National Security and Foreign Policy Next Generation Leaders. 

Global Cyber Policy Watch contributor, Nate Snyder, was spotlighted as one of thirty members of the Latino community leading the country in securing its national security and diplomatic objectives. The need for diverse voices in these policy areas is critical to ensuring that our government situated to best address these challenges.

To see the full announcement, click here.… Read More

COMMENTARY: Nate Snyder — Huawei’s Business Practices Not To Be Trusted

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CapitalWatch recently quoted security expert Nate Snyder of Cambridge Global Advisors, as he analyzed accusations against Huawei and the company’s track record with our nation’s adversaries. 

In response to the U.S.’s decision to ban Huawei’s technologies from its 5G market, the Chinese company blamed the U.S. for interfering with its ability to conduct business.

“This is unfortunately a distraction and does not erase the fact that Huawei has helped Iran, Syria, and North Korea establish their networks, aided in the crackdown of the Uygur population, likely aided in the crackdown of protestors in Hong Kong, enables the use of disinformation … Read More

PERSPECTIVE: 5G Networks Are No Place for Huawei

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This piece, by Peter Varnish, originally appeared in Homeland Security Today on August 27, 2019.

“We’re not going to do business with Huawei,” President Donald Trump told reporters outside the White House this month. “That doesn’t mean we won’t agree to something if and when we make a trade deal.” But should Chinese telecom giant Huawei be used as a bargaining chip?

China’s cyber espionage capabilities are notorious. Just last week, an investigation by the Wall Street Journal turned up evidence of Huawei intercepting encrypted communications to help African governments spy on political opponents.

All over the world, the Communist … Read More

PERSPECTIVE: Democratic Candidates Must Address Cyber Threats

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This article, by Nate Snyder, originally appeared in RealClearPolicy on August 12, 2019

As we’ve seen from the debates so far, the Democratic presidential candidates seem focused on relitigating opponents’ past records and the 2016 election. They’re missing an opportunity to discuss major national security concerns that affect every day Americans. Cybersecurity threats, from election interference by Russia to 5G dominance by China, are top concerns for our national security.

The U.S. faces continued security threats. Given the ongoing trade discussions with China, the Democratic candidates must make plans for how bilateral relationships can improve, while mitigating the security threats … Read More