"5G can be a fantastic thing, but if we don't take the necessary care with security and cybersecurity [...] it is a threat that can become a nightmare," said Cotec Portugal’s president, Isabel Furtado, in an interview with Lusa News Agency.

In the run up to the 13th Cotec Europe meeting - which takes place on Tuesday in Naples, Italy, attended by business and government leaders from Portugal, Italy and Spain – Furtado noted that 5G is, for now, an "unknown world" and that "if it is poorly used, it could be a serious problem" by which "all companies could be affected."

According to Furtado, 5G represents "fast, efficient and three-dimensional changes and connectivity", which "is great". However, "the risks come from this same speed of connectivity and of having open books, to both customers and suppliers where the protection – or lack of it – of intellectual, industrial and knowledge assets are concerned, as well as personal data.

"All this has to be protected well," she stressed.

Cybersecurity is among Cotec's current priorities, with the association encouraging members to use tools to prevent hacking and promoting good practices among companies.

"The digitalisation and connectivity of companies, either with their customers or with their suppliers, and throughout the production chain, also requires some care, namely against cyber attacks," Furtado stressed.

Companies in Portugal should ensure that their information is "comfortably protected against these attacks", both in terms of data within the company and those that are shared with outsiders.

While companies are, "certainly more aware" about cyber attacks these days, she said, "most are not prepared" for when these happen.

The issue of cyber security is on the agenda due to suspicions of espionage potentially fostered by equipment developed by China’s leading 5G equipment manufacturer, Huawei.

Cotec Portugal has members – from multinationals to small and medium-sized enterprises – that togethr represent more than 16% of the country’s gross domestic product and around 8% of employment in the private sector.

The annual meeting of the three Cosec national associations, of Italy, Spain and Portugal, is being held in Naples to discuss the introduction of new digital technologies in state institutions. The aim is to draft common action plans for public administration amid major technological changes.