Huawei Security Centre To Recieve British All-Clear

The British security centre of the Chinese telecoms equipment giant Huawei is reportedly set to be given official government clearance.

At the same time it is being forced to admit defeat and withdraw from the US telecommunications market, amid ongoing national security concerns.

The Chinese technology company has for several years been under close scrutiny from Western governments concerned at Huawei’s alleged close ties to the Chinese government, which potentially make it a national security risk. The US has been the most vocal about its fears, but Canada has refused to allow Huawei to be involved with the construction of a government communications network and Australia has also banned the use of the firm’s equipment.

Espionage Concerns

Huawei has repeated denied any allegations of espionage, and has increased its presence in the UK, establishing a Cyber Security Evaluation Centre in late 2010, and opening a new HQ in Reading, as part of a £1.3 billion research investment programme in the country.

However, despite this, security concerns have persisted, with the Intelligence and Security Committee questioning how the UK checks Huawei equipment. One month later the Prime Minister’s National Security Adviser Kim Darroch revealed that the Cabinet Office would carry out a review of the Huawei operated centre.

And that review is now reportedly about to clear Huawei to run the cyber security centre if it agrees to tighter rules to allay spying and hacking fears. Reuters quoted a person familiar with the matter as its source. An official report on the matter is expected to be published soon.

“Huawei shares the same goal as the UK government and the ISC (Intelligence and Security Committee in parliament) in raising the standards of cyber security in the UK and ensuring that network technology benefits consumers in the UK,” the Chinese firm reportedly said. “For Huawei this commitment also extends to all of the 140 countries in which we operate. Ahead of the report’s recommendations it is inappropriate for us to comment further.”

The decision to clear the Huawei security centre comes as Prime Minister David Cameron is visiting China on a trade trip. Yesterday he called for a formal dialogue with China on cyber security issues.

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