The German Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) today published the latest draft of its security catalogue, which regulates the security criteria for the operation of telecommunications and data processing systems and for the processing of personal data. The Internet Industry Association welcomes the fact that the BNetzA has not succumbed to political pressure and has focused on appropriate criteria for the security of telecommunications networks. This applies in particular to neutrality with regard to manufacturers and their countries of origin.
Klaus Landefeld, eco Board Member for Infrastructure and Networks, has this to say: “The new security catalogue of the Federal Network Agency provides a solid basis for improving network security in Germany and at the same time for expanding digital infrastructures in a sustainable and transparent manner. The Federal Network Agency has quite rightly recognised that digital sovereignty doesn’t mean isolation or protectionism, but is based on objective and appropriate criteria for all, in order to strengthen IT security and the integrity of the networks. Digital sovereignty means: to set the rules in a self-determined way, to understand and also control technologies.”
At the same time, however, Landefeld also has some criticism to express: In addition to the list of critical functions now submitted for consultation, a second additional list is to be added by the German Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), both of which will be published at a later date. As a result, the companies concerned have neither planning nor legal certainty. “This will only further delay the roll-out of 5G networks,” continues Landefeld. “In order not to fall even further behind in international comparison, we must now finally step on the gas and move forward.”
