JERSEY’s economy and way of life are “critically dependent on telecommunications”, a cyber security expert has warned – after the UK regulator responsible for allocating phone numbers in the Island found it had no legal basis for doing so.
Jersey Cyber Security Centre director Matt Palmer made the comments after Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel said that “critical” telecommunications infrastructure projects could face disruption unless the “necessary legal framework” was implemented to address the issue.
In a proposition to amend the Telecommunications (Jersey) Law 2002, Deputy Morel explained that UK regulator OFCOM had discovered there was no legal basis for its practice of allocating numbers in Jersey or the other Crown Dependencies.
If approved, Deputy Morel’s proposal would see OFCOM and the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority given powers relating to the allocation, management and withdrawal of phone numbers in the Island.
Responding to questions from the JEP about whether the issue posed a cyber security risk, Mr Palmer said: “Our economy and way of life are critically dependent on telecommunications, and this means that telecoms networks around the world under constant attack by advanced actors from organised crime to unfriendly nation states.”
He continued: “Securing these services is difficult as they rely on complex technology and supply chains, and we have to be careful how our telecoms infrastructure and numbers are used.
“Governments and telecoms providers around the world are taking much overdue action, and Jersey cannot be an exception to this.”
Mr Palmer also noted that the rollout of 5G mobile networks was “essential for security”, pointing out that “newer protocols are much more secure”.
“The right controls also require the right legislation, and this is why both telecoms security rules and the proposed Cyber Security Law are so important,” he continued.
“Without them, we will not have the firm foundations on which to build a sustainable digital economy and protect Islanders from threats.”
