Fragmented Cybersecurity Regulations Rise Costs for Mobile Operators, GSMA Reports
Fragmented Cybersecurity Regulations Rise Costs for Mobile Operators, GSMA Reports
The telecommunications industry is grappling with increasingly complex cybersecurity regulations, leading to soaring costs for mobile operators. According to the GSMA's recent report, The Impact of Cybersecurity Regulation on Mobile Operators, mobile operators are currently spending between $15-19 billion annually on core cybersecurity measures. This expenditure is projected to surge to an astonishing $40-42 billion by 2030. Despite these significant investments in security measures, regulation often creates more challenges than it solves, resulting in additional costs and heightened vulnerabilities.
The Current Landscape of Cybersecurity Regulation
Michaela Angonius, the Head of Policy and Regulation at GSMA, emphasizes that mobile networks are the backbone of the digital economy. As threats to cybersecurity continue to evolve, mobile operators are pouring substantial resources into safeguarding society's digital infrastructure. However, poorly structured regulations can act as roadblocks rather than facilitators of safety.
The study, prepared in collaboration with Frontier Economics, draws insights from a comprehensive range of operator interviews across diverse regions, including Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and North America. It exposes the detrimental effects of fragmented and inconsistent regulatory approaches on mobile operators globally.
Conflicting Regulations and Their Consequences
A striking takeaway from the report is the prevalence of conflicting regulations that bind operators to multiple, often overlapping compliance requirements. This not only complicates the regulatory landscape but also stretches resources thin. Operators report a significant portion of their cybersecurity teams’ efforts—up to 80% in some cases—are dedicated to audits and compliance rather than focusing on direct threat detection and incident response.
In a world where timely response to cyber threats is paramount, inefficient regulation diverts vital resources away from critical operational improvements. Additionally, onerous reporting obligations often lead to the same security incidents being reported multiple times, regardless of the regulatory requirements of different jurisdictions.
The Need for Strategic Policy Design
To enhance the effectiveness of cybersecurity regulations, the GSMA's report outlines six essential principles for policymakers to consider:
1. Harmonization: Align cybersecurity policies with international standards to reduce fragmentation and inconsistency.
2. Consistency: Ensure that new regulations are in harmony with existing frameworks to prevent duplication.
3. Risk and Outcome-Based Approaches: Create flexible, risk-informed policies that prioritize real security outcomes over mere compliance.
4. Collaboration: Build a cooperative relationship between regulators and the industry, encouraging the sharing of threat intelligence.
5. Security-by-Design: Emphasize a proactive approach to cybersecurity that integrates safety measures from the development stages.
6. Capacity Building: Strengthen the capacity of cybersecurity authorities to implement effective policies in a comprehensive manner.
By adopting these principles, the GSMA argues that countries can significantly enhance their regulatory frameworks, making the mobile ecosystem more secure and efficient.
A Call for Global Coordination
The report concludes with a strong call for global cooperation among governments and regulatory bodies to streamline regulations and establish trusted frameworks. The aim is to not only facilitate innovation within the mobile industry but also enhance the overall security posture of digital networks vital for societal functions.
Angonius encapsulates the essence of the report by stating, “Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. To adequately protect citizens, a unified approach guided by coherent policy is essential.” With increasing digital interdependence, adopting comprehensive strategies that engage all relevant stakeholders is not just beneficial but necessary for the continued security of our digital world.
For those interested in exploring the full report, more details can be found on the GSMA's official website.
Topics Telecommunications）
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