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Written question asked by Wendy Morton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 June 2026. It was answered by Kanishka Narayan (Labour) on Thursday, 25 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Telecommunications: National Security

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to her Department's consultation response entitled Proposals to update the Telecommunications Security Code of Practice 2022: government response, published on 1 June, what assessment she has made of the risks posed by hostile state cyber activity to UK mobile networks; and whether the National Cyber Security Centre has identified any areas in which existing protections are inadequate.

Answer

The Telecommunications (Security) Act 2021 sets out a robust telecoms security framework, requiring public telecoms providers to identify, reduce and prepare for the risk of security compromises to their networks and services.

DSIT works closely with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), as the UK's lead technical authority for cyber security, to identify and assess risks to telecoms infrastructure.

NCSC's most recent annual review highlights how state actors continue to pose a persistent and escalating cyber threat to UK Critical National Infrastructure, including telecoms, leveraging sophisticated cyber capabilities and working closely with a growing commercial intrusion market.

Though it would not be appropriate to comment on specific vulnerabilities, we have worked very closely with NCSC to update the Code of Practice to ensure the guidance within it keeps pace with evolving technology and emerging threats.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
10637
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Cybercrime National security Telecommunications National Cyber Security Centre
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk