5G Supply Chain Workshop

5G Supply Chain Workshop Overview:

The fifth generation (5G) of wireless technology represents a complete transformation of telecommunication networks. 5G capabilities will be implemented broadly across a wide range of commercial, civil, and government sectors, transforming the digital landscape and serving as a catalyst for innovation, new technologies, applications, and markets, and economic growth. In addition, 5G has the potential to play a key role in every DOE mission area, because advancing national 5G capabilities will make an important contribution to combating climate change, creating clean energy jobs, and promoting energy justice.

This workshop is intended to support Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) efforts to harness the power of 5G, while at the same time identifying, preparing for, and mitigating potential risks. While 5G technology introduces significant increase in data download speed as well as decrease in latency along with increased network capacity, it also introduces new threat vectors. DOE and its National Laboratories are actively conducting research on secure use of 5G technologies, with a vested interest in maximizing 5G capabilities and their beneficial impact on U.S. Government priorities and DOE mission needs. The Office of Science is seeking to increase mobility and agility across scientific facilities and collaborators, develop new sensing instruments, and pave the way for improved connections with both urban and rural communities. DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is investigating in new and novel 5G-enabled approaches to its missions of maintaining the U.S. nuclear weapons stockpile and reducing the global nuclear threat. NNSA’s Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NPAC) is also actively participating in policy-related initiatives dedicated to evaluating the threat posed by emerging technologies like 5G, and how to best promote U.S. leadership while protecting U.S. national and economic security. Additionally, DOE’s Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) is leading the ongoing process to engage 5G experts across the enterprise, including program offices, sites, and laboratories to advance innovative research and discovery efforts and leverage applied research and technology demonstration opportunities in support of 5G, and to facilitate engagement opportunities with interagency partners and other stakeholders.

Click to download the Workshop Flyer

Why is DOE Hosting this Workshop?

The 5G workshop will bring together representatives from government and industry for thoughtful and engaging conversations on a wide range of issues associated with 5G strategies, policies, and implementations. The workshop will enable discussions surrounding national security risks posed by the 5G landscape, and take a critical look at the technology trends and supply chain to understand how the U.S. can secure its telecom infrastructure. Subject matter experts will provide in-depth coverage of fundamental 5G technologies, discuss approaches to securing 5G networks and critical supply chains, and explore case studies of employing 5G capabilities in real world environments while maintaining reliable and effective security protocols. Only U.S. citizens will be permitted to attend and the event will not be open to media.