FCC Aims to Do More on Cybersecurity
The FCC is discussing ways to step up the agency’s involvement in cybersecurity matters, but it isn’t seeking to broaden its responsibilities, said Public Safety & Homeland Security Bureau spokesman Robert Kenny. The commission collected big phone companies’ opinions in a meeting last month (CD Oct 27 p10). So far, industry officials have revealed no concerns.
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On cybersecurity, the FCC believes its role is to complement and support efforts by the Justice and Homeland Security departments, Kenny said. Historically, the FCC has coordinated with those departments to increase network security. The FCC also participates in interagency groups including Homeland Security’s National Communications System and the Joint Telecommunication Resources Board, which counsels on national security and emergency preparedness communications issues for the White House.
“The FCC currently has two key processes on-going with regard to cybersecurity,” Kenny said. “The first is the current efforts of the FCC working group to assess the Commission’s capabilities in the area of cybersecurity. The second is related to the [National] Broadband Plan, in which the FCC is seeking public comment on a range of cybersecurity issues. As part of these processes, the FCC staff is meeting with industry and government partners, including the carriers, so that it can gather relevant input from all interested parties.”
Qwest, AT&T, Verizon and USTelecom met with the Communication Systems Analysis Division at the agency’s request last month. Verizon returned to the bureau last week to discuss the company’s cybersecurity efforts, including collaboration with other government agencies and industry organizations, an ex parte filing said.
A telecom industry source confirmed that the FCC only seems to be discussing ways to be more supportive in cybersecurity matters. The FCC likely is more interested in cybersecurity now than before because it’s a “hot topic,” the source said. The official’s company is “always mindful” of any additional regulation, but the source raised no red flags about the FCC effort.