DoT says USIBS’ claims on security testing 'irrational'

Rejecting claims of a US trade body on security testing of telecom network equipment in India, the telecom department has said that the concerns raised by USIBC are not rational.

"Concerns raised at this stage by the US-India Business Council (USIBC) on security testing of telecom network equipment at a certified lab in India are not rational" since the government had amended telco licence norms to do so on "national security grounds back in May 2011" after wide consultations with the home ministry and all stakeholders, including top international trade bodies like USIBC," media reports said quoting an internal note by the telecom department.

Recently, the government has extended the July 1 local testing deadline by nine months in the absence of a suitable clearing-house.

USIBC has raised concerns about India's insistence on domestic security testing of telecom gear, regardless of the country's inclusion as an authorising member-nation within the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement (CCRA), the leading global agency that defines common processes to certify ICT products used in infrastructure networks across telecom, power, aviation and defence sectors.

CCRA, which consists of 27 members including the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, France and Japan, certifies the testing and countries have to adhere to specified standards.

USIBC had expressed concerns about India's decision not to revoke the domestic testing requirement for imported ICT equipment.

DoT had mandated telecom service providers to use only those network devices deemed safe by a certified local test lab from April 1, 2013, in tandem with security-related operator licence amendments issued in May 2011.