Huawei equipment found to have 'significant' security flaws, says U.K. report

Chinese tech company Huawei has been under fire recently in the U.S. over security concerns, but it's the U.K. that is now raising the alarm of "significant" security flaws in the company's products. In a new report published this week by the U.K.'s Huawei Cyber Security Evaluation Center (HCSEC) (via CNBC), the group found "significant technical issues have been identified in Huawei's engineering processes, leading to new risks in the UK telecommunications networks."

Further, the report states that Huawei has made "no material progress" in addressing issues raised in its previous 2018 report.

"The Oversight Board advises that it will be difficult to appropriately risk-manage future products in the context of UK deployments, until the underlying defects in Huawei's software engineering and cyber security processes are remediated" the 47-page report said in a summary of its findings. "Overall, the Oversight Board can only provide limited assurance that all risks to UK national security from Huawei's involvement in the UK's critical networks can be sufficiently mitigated long-term."

The HCSEC doesn't recommend a ban on Huawei's telecommunications equipment, which may be pivotal as the infrastructure for 5G begins to roll out across the globe. Further, the U.K.'s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) stated that it "does not believe that the defects identified are a result of Chinese state interference."

In a statement to CNBC, Huawei said it takes the findings "very seriously" and that "the issues identified in the OB (oversight board) report provide vital input for the ongoing transformation of our software engineering capabilities."

The report comes as Huawei is facing increased scrutiny from governments around the globe. The U.S. government enacted a ban on Huawei on Huawei networking equipment last year, naming it as a potential national security threat. Huawei has since responded by suing the U.S. government to overturn the ban. Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou was also arrested in Canada late last year (opens in new tab) as the U.S. seeks to extradite her under charges of fraud.

Australia has also enforced a ban on Huawei networking equipment over concerns that the Chinese government could use it to hack the country's power grid.

Dan Thorp-Lancaster
24 Comments
  • #imaginethat there's too many security issues with this company.
  • https://i.imgflip.com/woour.jpg
  • My first thought was to wonder if this was real or just them pandering to Donny Fart... Reading the article it sounds legit. I suspect similar vulnerabilities would be found with their competitors though... It's just that Huawei it's extra scrutiny.
  • You know the scrutiny started under Obozo, right?
  • He doesn't need pandering to thhough, Fart is the current SCROTUS. And in reality, simple ego stroking was neither as necessary or as effective with the last guy.
  • Oh, Obama constantly needed his ego stroked. Obama cared nothing about America whereas the world leader Trump cares immensely.
  • I actually can't tell if this is sarcasm lol. I can't think of anyone who cares less about America... You should know that the US became a global laughing stock the moment Fart was elected. No other world leaders respect him, they just humour him because the US has power. He's basically a toddler with a box full of hand grenades.
  • Trump cares about his personal finances...period.
  • Exactly. Gratuitous words.
  • My portfolio says "you're wrong about that." Six figures being added every year since he took office. If you're not on the gravy train, that's on you.
  • Yeah, Barry's "red line," and the American embassy in Benghazi were really respected. Even Honduras told Barry to pound sand. Your being so in tune with with world leaders aside 🙄, the point is: the security concerns are apolitical. The security concerns are legitimate. The #unhinged have a problem grasping that though. But, by all means, go on with your little pandering theory.
  • I never said Barry was great, I never said he didn't do some messed up stuff. You're "resounding" to nothing. And I really can't take you seriously when you use an octothorpe like that... Also I said I thought they WEREN'T pandering... So... Read much?
  • "No other world leaders respect him, they just humour him because the US has power." Silly me. 😏
  • Fuzzylumpkin, the UK is winning the race in who is the biggest laughing stock in the world right now, if you've been following our Brexit farce.
  • The orange **** only cares about himself along with his bank balance.
  • The fact you said that with a straight face is completely mind blowing
  • This is why I just dont buy from them. Great company for innovation but they have some shadyness going in at the moment.
  • And yet the fine folk from AC keep promoting their products. Hmm...
  • They make great phones, but it's just not worth it. I'm not paying 1000plus for you to play fast and loose with my info.
  • everybody does, don't be ignorant mate
  • I'm shocked. Seriously.
  • I don't believe it! Huawei is one of the most honest companies.
  • Microsoft: Windows 10 devices open to 'full compromise' from Huawei PC driver https://www.zdnet.com/article/microsoft-windows-10-devices-open-to-full-...
  • Ha! Where are the Trump haters!!