PTS: Serious security flaws at Telenor

PTS Serious security flaws at Telenor

Published: Less than 30 min ago

full screen The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Agency singles out Telenor for serious security deficiencies. Archive image. Photo: Gorm Kallestad/NTB/TT

According to the Swedish Post and Telecommunications Authority, the mobile operator Telenor has breached the security screening of personnel. The deficiencies are considered so serious that they pose a threat to the security of the kingdom, reports DN.

According to PTS, the company has not lived up to the requirements of the Security Protection Act, which must protect Sweden against, for example, espionage.

The law requires that personnel in sensitive operations be security tested before they are employed. The aim is to ensure that the people employed are reliable.

In the largely confidential review of the company, which according to DN took place during the autumn, PTS concludes that Telenor did not fulfill its obligations in relation to the law.

The situation is deemed so serious that the company can be charged a penalty.

Telenor is one of Sweden’s largest mobile operators, but also manages broadband, television and fiber networks throughout the country.

Henrik Christiansson, head of the security protection unit at PTS, tells DN that the deficiencies discovered at the company are “serious”, but does not want to comment further on what happened.

When asked if the deficiencies endangered Sweden’s security, Christiansson confirms that this was the case.

– Yes, since we have had plans for sanctions, I think it is obvious. It is in the nature of things, he says.

Telenor refutes the accusations in an email to DN and calls the deficiencies a “formality error”.

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