The government has finalised a set of new rules designed to protect telecoms networks against cyber-attacks.

It said that broadband and mobile networks will have to comply with the ‘tough’ security rules from October, or risk facing substantial fines worth up to 10 per cent of turnover.

“We know how damaging cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure can be, and our broadband and mobile networks are central to our way of life,” said digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman. “We are ramping up protections for these vital networks by introducing one of the world’s toughest telecoms security regimes which secure our communications against current and future threats.”

Under the Telecommunications (Security) Act, which launched last November, telecoms providers are responsible for setting their own security standards within their networks.

But a government review found that providers often have “little incentive” to roll out the best security practices.

The new regulations and code of practice, which have been developed with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Ofcom, outline specific actions for providers to fulfil their legal duties in the Act.

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