Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether Ofcom staff working on functions required by the Telecoms Security Bill will require security clearance.

As the regulator for telecoms security, Ofcom already has staff with the relevant security clearances.

Ofcom’s expanding role in the strengthened security framework will require it to increase levels of resources and skills to meet its new responsibilities. This will include seconding technical expertise to further develop Ofcom’s capability.

The National Cyber Security Centre will also provide expert advice to Ofcom in support of Ofcom’s role in the new regime.

Ofcom will keep these needs under review to ensure that there are sufficient security cleared staff at all times.