Enforcement Bureau Beefing Up Cyber Resources, Says Chief
Pointing to growing U.S. concerns about increased cybersecurity risks and threats, the FCC's Enforcement Bureau is adding to its cybersecurity and privacy resources, bureau Chief Loyaan Egal said Thursday at a Media Institute lunch. The bureau has "more than doubled"…
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staff handling these types of cases, with a number of hires having privacy and data projection experience, he said. By early next year, the bureau will have four senior officials with significant DOJ and interagency experience in national security, data protection and cybersecurity, he said. The $150,000 FCC fine against Dish Network for improper disposal of a satellite (see 2310020049) "made clear that the U.S. government is serious about enforcing the rules governing satellite orbital operations" and orbital debris, he said. The FCC's investigation into and nearly $300 million fine against perpetrators of scam auto warranty robocalls (see 2212210054) resulted in a 99% decline in those types of calls, he said. Asked about the challenge of collecting fines bought by the bureau, Egal said DOJ has "a ton of priorities." He added, "But we believe this is a priority." Egal said access to Bank Secrecy Act information, as Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has urged (see 2306080043), would allow for expanded FCC investigations related to finances of bad actors and let the agency rebut arguments about inability to pay.