December 18, 2023 at 07:41AM
The National Grid terminated its contract with China’s NR Electric UK over cybersecurity concerns, removing China-manufactured equipment from its network. Similar actions have been taken in the UK’s critical infrastructure network, like the ban on Huawei’s 5G equipment. Concerns center around potential data security risks due to China’s influence in infrastructure provision.
Key Takeaways from the Meeting Notes:
1. The National Grid terminated its contract with NR Electric UK, a UK subsidiary of China’s Nari Technology, over cybersecurity concerns, following advice from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
2. NR Electric UK’s staff can no longer access sites where the components were installed, as the contract termination decision had been made in April.
3. The UK’s ban on Huawei equipment in its 5G network in 2020, influenced by US pressure, has now spread to the EU, with Germany deciding to remove Huawei equipment from its 5G networks.
4. The UK also took steps to remove China’s involvement in the Sizewell nuclear project, signaling a shift in UK-China relations.
5. The decision to remove Huawei’s equipment was largely based on fears of China’s ability to compel companies to share data, impacting Huawei’s business.
6. China has allegedly been caught deploying malware in foreign nations’ electricity grids on two prior occasions, raising concerns about cybersecurity threats.
These takeaways capture the major developments and concerns discussed in the meeting notes regarding cybersecurity issues involving Chinese companies and their impact on critical infrastructure networks in the UK and beyond.