Huawei Fails To Get Czech Security Clearance

Huawei has failed to obtain a security clearance from the Czech National Security Office that is needed to compete for state tenders. The company is now considering requesting a lower level of security verification. In 2018, the National Office for Cyber and Information Security (NÚKIB) warned against Huawei’s software and hardware use.

According to the Huawei, they recently asked for the review process to be stopped because it was not developing favorably for them. “Huawei is now considering various scenarios that are based on our business needs,” said company spokesman Tomáš Kolder.

Security screening is a condition for private companies to participate in selected state tenders. The NBU did not comment on the matter.

However, Huawei does not currently need a security check to cooperate with Czech operators in building 5G mobile networks in the Czech Republic. The Chinese company is one of the world’s leading suppliers of this technology.

In April this year, however, the Senate asked the government to clarify its position on the involvement of Chinese companies Huawei and ZTE in introducing 5G communication networks in the country.

The senators referred to the warning issued by NÚKIB in 2018. The office identified Huawei and ZTE technologies as a security risk. The warnings include critical information infrastructure or essential information systems. Huawei defends that there is no evidence for a warning.

In January, the European Commission advised member states not to let companies considered a security risk to build sensitive parts of 5G networks. However, the Commission’s recommendation leaves decisions on high-risk companies to the Member States but calls for a uniform approach.