The objective of the audit is to check for any backdoor or trapdoor vulnerabilities in the networks

In view of national security, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is likely to direct telecom operators throughout the country to conduct an information security audit of the networks.

The objective behind the audit is to check for any backdoor or trapdoor vulnerabilities of the networks.

A backdoor or a trap door is a bug installed in the telecom hardware which allows companies to listen in or collect data being shared on the network, The Indian Express said in its report.

An official was quoted by the newspaper as saying that there have been reports of Chinese vendors installing back doors and trap doors in telecom networks of other countries where they have worked on 4G and other older technologies. The DoT, through the audit, wants to ensure that there are no such gaps in the networks.

About 30 percent of Bharti Airtel’s network comprises of Chinese telecom equipment and 40 percent for Vodafone Idea, the report highlighted. “State-run Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telecom Nigam Limited (MTNL) also have equipment from Chinese vendors, including Huawei and ZTE in their 3G and older networks,” the daily said.

The DoT has also indicated that it would announce guidelines for telcos, including private companies, to refrain from using Chinese equipment. Soon after the Galwan Valley standoff between the Indian and Chinese troops, the Indian government banned 59 Chinese apps, including the very popular TikTok, from operating in India.