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Nokia Siemens Networks Policy and Government Relations

Security of Telecommunication Networks

The Internet, and therefore the telecommunications networks upon which it relies, are criticalinfrastructures for todays society. The more we as a society depend on those networks themore fundamental we perceive any security threats to them. Telecommunications networksenable and link other critical infrastructures, so any potential vulnerabilities impact wholeeconomic systems. Hence, network security and critical infrastructure protection aspectsmust be at the centre of any IT and telecommunications policy debate.

Nokia Siemens Networks Beliefs

New or increased threats emerge on three layers: 1) the device layer, 2) the network layerand 3) the content layer. With cloud computing becoming mainstream additional securityquestions need to be addressed.

Whether it is botnets, spam, phishing, identity theft, denial of service attacks, advancedpersistent threats, malware in general or hidden backdoors for espionage or sabotage, NokiaSiemens Networks believes that such threats and risks need to be countered and mitigated.At Nokia Siemens Networks we understand what is at stake. We are at the forefront ofmaking telecoms networks more secure.1

For efficient solutions against attacks on networks, it is important that relevant stakeholderscollaborate closely.

Network Security for Future Telecommunication Networks

- Policy Makers- Operators- Content and service providers and- Suppliers

need to focus on prevention, preparedness and awareness to address the challenges. Weunderstand that competencies lie with single countries when it comes to defining security andcritical infrastructure related national policies but agree with the European Commission that

1For further reference and Nokia Siemens Networks whitepapers:

http://www.nokiasiemensnetworks.com/portfolio/services/security

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January 2012 Nokia Siemens Networks Page 2

no single stakeholder has the means to ensure the security and resilience of all ICTinfrastructures and to carry all the related responsibilities. Furthermore we agree that acountry by country approach is not sufficient to address the challenges ahead. There is aneed to achieve a global understanding of the risks, have a global coordination strategy andglobal risk management. At Nokia Siemens Networks we remain committed to contribute

actively to the policy debate and provide technical input when needed within a multi-stakeholder governance framework.

The security of telecommunications networks is recognized as very important by mostcountries. The need for international collaboration is generally accepted, such as throughinformation exchange about emerging vulnerabilities and active attacks intelecommunications networks. This has for instance led to multi-lateral co-operations andpartnerships against cyber threats. Nokia Siemens Networks supports such initiatives byrelated technical research efforts, e.g. by leading the German research project Asmonia

Recommendations:

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In Europe, we welcome the work done by the European institutions on Critical InfrastructureProtection as well as on Data Protection. The latter will be revisited shortly (the EuropeanData Protection Framework for the 21st Century). A stable legal framework in this domain isrequired. We also recognize that quite a number of activities in the Critical InformationInfrastructure Protection (CIIP) area have already been initiated and performed. Werecommend not just focusing on assets in the area of CIIP but taking an approachbased on a comprehensive risk-based assessment.

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related attack analysis and counter-measures based on collaborative approaches. Werecommend intensifying such international collaboration.

We recommend putting special emphasis on combating cyber security related threatssuch as mobile botnets, Advanced Persistent Threats (APT), spam, software security

threats such as integrity violations, manipulations or backdoors, and risks resultingfrom cloud computing.

Nokia Siemens Networks has great and global expertise in network security and seeks toparticipate in the required co-operation between authorities, operators and equipmentvendors in this area. Nokia Siemens Networks will seek to promote the debate and urgespolicy makers to work on a suitable framework for the protection of networks involving theindustry. Nokia Siemens Networks particularly recommends acknowledging the role oftelecommunications networks as critical infrastructure and that a basic general levelof security and protection needs to be implemented in networks globally.

Concluding remarksSecurity is a crucial deployment consideration for future networks wherever they are in theworld. We are committed to offering secure telecommunications infrastructure and remainopen for a dialogue between policy makers, content and service providers, including over thetop providers, and equipment and software vendors on how to ensure the security oftelecommunication networks.

For further information:Margit Brandl, Global Head of Telecoms Policy, +49 1732862988,margit.brandl@nsn.comStephen Crisp, Global Head of Government Relations, +65 90731903,stephen.crisp@nsn.com

2http://www.asmonia.de

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