Embattled telecommunications giant Huawei has weighted in to the debate on cyber security, the very issue that has been dogging the company in recent months.

 

Speaking to the National Press Club, Huawei Australia’s Chairman, John Lord, proposed the formation of a new cyber security evaluation centre for Australia, saying that only by private and government collaboration can the country face future threats.

 

“Huawei is proposing the establishment of a national cyber security evaluation centre, to test the security credentials of technologies being implemented into critical infrastructure projects,” Mr Lord said.

 

“As information and communications technology plays an increasingly significant function in critical infrastructure projects around the world, all nations will need to take a step in this direction at some point.”

 

Mr Lord detailed how the interdependent global technology supply chain has created a wealth of benefits for Australians, but has also created new challenges for maintaining cyber security.

 

“In the age of globalisation, no country has the ability to sustain its own isolated ICT industry, indeed no country should. All countries must also develop security assurance frameworks to effectively analyse technology products which are globally sourced. Countries like the UK have already taken this vital step, and others must follow,” he said.

 

Mr Lord’s speech comes after the company announced its intentions to open its software coding to international scrutiny in a bid to prove the Chinese Government does not unduly influence the company.