Belgium introduces Belgian Secure Communications (BSC) to shield government communication from hacking, and espionage, ensuring confidentiality and national security.
Ministers, top officials and diplomats will gain new secured smartphones and laptops to contain external hacking and eavesdropping or transmission being intercepted. Belgium undertook a brand new communication strategy for those in government, as well as top officials, diplomats and essential security functions. The secure system technology was developed completely in Belgium with proprietary features, by the new entity Belgian Secure Communications (BSC), under the Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt.
It will substitute the BINII (Belgian Intelligence Network Information Infrastructure) – a secure communication forum set up in 2007 that permitted the sharing of susceptible and classified information. It is now obsolete and no longer adapted to the latest technology and threats.
Van Tigchelt emphasised an economic mission to China in 2019, in which 135 hacking endeavours per hour were caught on the mobile phones of delegation members.
The minister revealed that Belgium has for years been the mark of espionage: “Undoubtedly eavesdropping occurred on a major scale. We are not naive about that.” He stated that even “friendly nations” were reluctant to share sensitive information because of Belgium’s vulnerable communications systems.
Van Tigchelt also suggested the recent espionage scandal among top officers of the German army in which a private meeting was broadcast on Russian state media, “highlighting that commercial communication platforms are highly vulnerable to hacking”. Moreover, Brussels is also believed the ‘spy capital’ due to the existence of many international institutions
The need for confidential and secure means of communication for people “holding critical positions” is great. The BSC system will guarantee that sensitive information, classified data and communications cannot be thwarted by foreign powers or criminal organisations.
Aside from the specially designed smartphones and laptops, it also includes a secure network with secret locations for classified data traffic and classified video meetings, meaning WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal and Teams will never be employed. The new system does not attach to the internet or servers that are not proprietary.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo commented that the BSC system will turn Belgium into one of the leaders in guaranteeing secret and confidential data for federal decision-makers.
“With mobile phones and laptops soon to be functional, all ministers, department heads and key staff will be capable of exchanging messages, making phone calls and taking part in teleconferences in complete security. This solution enables quick decision-making in times of crisis.” Ministers will acquire their devices next week.
In a bid to fortify national security, Belgium introduces a cutting-edge communication strategy. Spearheaded by Justice Minister Paul Van Tigchelt, Belgian Secure Communications (BSC) will equip ministers, diplomats, and officials with state-of-the-art smartphones and laptops. This innovative technology, developed domestically, replaces the outdated BINII system, deemed vulnerable to cyber threats. Van Tigchelt’s revelations of extensive espionage underscore the urgency for secure communication channels. BSC ensures classified information remains impervious to foreign interference, bolstering Belgium’s resilience against cyber threats. Prime Minister Alexander De Croo hails BSC as a milestone in safeguarding confidential data, heralding Belgium’s leadership in ensuring swift, secure decision-making for critical stakeholders.
