One of the notable moments during the Trump administration was when Defense Secretary Pete Hegses unintentionally shared a sensitive war strategy through personal mobile devices. This incident sparked significant, and mostly justified, outrage about using commercial channels for crucial communications. Still, the fact remains that people, including government officials, have adapted to mobile phones as their go-to for everything, whether it’s a grocery list or military operations.
In Ukraine, both sides seem to be frequently using commercial cellular networks amidst the ongoing conflict, largely because those networks are just as accessible and reliable as any secure systems.
Recently, Ukraine achieved a significant victory with a drone strike that showcased how vulnerabilities in cellular networks can be exploited by military forces. Ukrainian operators managed to control drones from considerable distances using a network associated with Russian mobile devices. Russia, on the other hand, faced limitations in countering this threat since disabling commercial networks completely was not a viable option.
This situation offers a crucial lesson: we can’t expect to revert to a time when essential communications were confined to secure, specialized networks. Instead of sticking to outdated methods, there’s an urgent need to modernize the networks we rely on—commercial mobile phones.
Each time a mobile device connects to a tower, it generates metadata that could be leveraged by adversaries. They can track movements, map contacts, and intercept communications through outdated signaling systems. In fact, hackers can hijack phone numbers via SIM swapping, compromising sensitive accounts.
Our opponents are well aware of these vulnerabilities, and they exploit the weaknesses inherent in our commercial networks.
China-backed hacking efforts, like Bolt Typhoon, are aimed at destabilizing U.S. communications during potential crises. There’s even evidence showing that China’s spying initiatives have successfully breached various U.S. communication systems, monitoring interactions from key political campaigns.
The FBI has urged Americans to discontinue SMS use, labeling it one of the most significant communication breaches ever. Yet, we seem to carry on without making substantial changes.
The root issue lies in our outdated communications infrastructure, which has become stagnant and overly reliant on conventional systems.
The U.S. once led the pack with its 2G, 3G, and 4G cellular frameworks, but now, companies like Huawei are setting the pace globally in 5G technology, pioneering advancements with substantial backing from the Chinese government.
Updating our communications is no minor task. Since 1996, roughly $2 trillion has been invested in telecommunications, meaning we can’t simply overhaul everything overnight, but we can innovate within the existing framework.
The explosion of cloud computing has paved the way for disruptive innovations from software-first startups, impacting various sectors. These newcomers can leverage modern security protocols using state-of-the-art infrastructure.
However, they need support to do so.
It’s crucial for the federal government to back privacy-focused mobile networks. The Department of Defense should take the initiative, just as it has in the past.
The TOR browser started as a Navy research initiative and has evolved into a vital tool for journalists and activists. Similar investment in contemporary communications is needed now. The Department of Defense’s 5G initiatives should extend beyond just private networks to safer, resilient commercial mobile systems.
Another point is the Navy’s Spiral 4 program, which is designed to better integrate with industry for future innovations in mobile communications.
Both “Signalgate” and Ukraine’s SpiderWeb operation serve as stark reminders. Mobile phones and networks are integral to modern communication, and expecting a return to less efficient methods is unrealistic.
To effect real improvement, it requires more than a simple app. We need a strategic push toward developing private and secure cellular infrastructures.
John Doyle, CEO and co-founder of Privacy First Mobile Carrier Cape.
