Description
The DoD ought to recognize the 5th Generation (5G) deployment as a strategic choice more than a technological one. The infrastructure established will be responsible for both civilian and military telecommunications, as well as public and private data transmission and storage. The infrastructure standards must provide the highest possible security, integrity, and confidentiality while remaining free from interruption of availability. With a universal telecommunications network, the Department of Defense holds a significant role and interest in the development and deployment of the 5G network. Historically as technology advances, a change and increase in the cybersecurity threat landscape must be addressed to ensure fidelity of systems while minimizing negative human impact. China's record of malicious cyber activity, coupled with their public-private partnership in intelligence espionage, presents a geopolitical concern as a global market power for a 5G network. The United States is significantly trailing behind China in the development of a 5G network. The White House and the federal agencies responsible for the U.S. 5G ecosystem are currently working to determine the best course of action. Along with legislation proposals and allocation of funds, the U.S. is attempting to breach the security weakness within cybersecurity as a whole. However, the ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China continues to influence the supply chain for telecommunications equipment. China's leading telecom companies, Huawei and Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment Corporation (ZTE), are the targets of U.S. intervention strategies. The geopolitical tension resulting from Huawei's involvement by Chinese military and intelligence agencies emphasizes the necessity for the U.S. to develop an independent 5G ecosystem that protects the global telecommunications system from China's control of new technology. The capabilities 5G brings to the DoD are highlighted in this paper. The development of the U.S. 5G network by the private sector, associated security risks, and the challenges that the DoD faces operating on a universal network are also addressed in this paper. Finally, this paper examines the continued interference by the Chinese telecommunications company, Huawei, in U.S. national security and DoD operations through their deployment of 5G technologies and the global reliance on their products and services.
