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5G networks could pose a cybersecurity risk. Who’s in charge of making sure they don’t?
Jan 31, 2019

5G networks could pose a cybersecurity risk. Who’s in charge of making sure they don’t?

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The United States and several other countries have made it clear that they don't want hardware from Chinese telecom giant Huawei to be part of future fifth-generation wireless networks. They're worried that Huawei could install back doors in a 5G network that could let the Chinese government, companies or hackers spy on information crossing that network. But no matter who is building a 5G network, there will be cybersecurity threats. So who's in charge of making sure that protection against hacking, spying or other cyberthreats is built in from the ground up? Molly Wood talks with Tom Wheeler, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission from 2013 to 2017. He's now a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution. He says the government should be in charge.

Today's show is sponsored by Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

Segments From this episode

5G networks could pose a cybersecurity risk. So who's in charge of making sure they don't?

Jan 31, 2019
And what role should the Federal Communications Commission have?
"If cybersecurity is one of the principal challenges that will define the remainder of the 21st century, then let's have a Manhattan Project to make sure we've got that security," says former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

The United States and several other countries have made it clear that they don’t want hardware from Chinese telecom giant Huawei to be part of future fifth-generation wireless networks. They’re worried that Huawei could install back doors in a 5G network that could let the Chinese government, companies or hackers spy on information crossing that network. But no matter who is building a 5G network, there will be cybersecurity threats. So who’s in charge of making sure that protection against hacking, spying or other cyberthreats is built in from the ground up? Molly Wood talks with Tom Wheeler, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commission from 2013 to 2017. He’s now a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution. He says the government should be in charge.

Today’s show is sponsored by Pitney Bowes and Indeed.

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