The Government of India has unveiled the Trusted Telecom Portal six months after the Cabinet approved the National Security Directive on Telecommunication Sector for the government to declare a list of trusted sources and products for installation in the country’s telecom networks.
It signals the coming into effect of the National Security Directive on Telecommunication Sector (NSDTS). “…With effect from 15th June 2021, the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) are mandatorily required to connect in their networks only those new devices which are designated as Trusted Products from Trusted Sources…,” a statement from the National Security Council secretariat said.
It added TSPs will be provided access to log into the portal www.trustedtelecom.gov.in for information on telecom products and the vendors. Vendors will also be given access to the portal to enlist their products.
The National Security Council said that there will be an assessment to determine Trusted Sources and Trusted products allowing the procurement of these products.
The National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) is the Designated Authority (DA)for the determination of inclusion of a vendor as a Trusted Source, of a Telecom product as a Trusted Product and the methodology for the said inclusion.
The Designated Authority makes its determination based on approval of a committee called ‘National SecurityCommittee on Telecom (NSCT) headed by Deputy NSA. The committee consists of members from relevant departments/ministries and also has two members from industry and an independent expert
The statement said the directive accorded approval on December 16 will not mandate the replacement of the existing equipment inducted in the networks of the TSPs.
“The Directive will also not affect ongoing Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMC) or updates to existing equipment already inducted in the network as on date of effect of the Directive. Hence no disruption to the existing networks will be created due to this Directive,” the statement said.
