FCC Introduces Stronger Cybersecurity Measures

A new set of cybersecurity standards has been put in place by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is responsible for regulating America’s emergency alerts system and submarine communication cables, in order to ensure protection of vital communication infrastructure. These steps have been taken to enhance the security of the nation from any sort of attack and minimize the threat to communication systems on which millions of Americans rely upon in case of emergencies.

This step has been taken due to the increasing cyber threats, as government officials have warned that emergency communication networks and Internet infrastructure could become vulnerable to hacks and attacks.

New Security Standards for Emergency Alert Systems

Another important aspect of the FCC's decision pertains to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA). The latter serve as an urgent communication channel for delivering information about dangerous weather conditions, natural disasters, public safety concerns, and various other kinds of emergencies.

According to the new rules, operators of EAS and WEA will have to implement several basic cybersecurity measures, including the use of unique passwords instead of default logins, quick installation of security patches, and increased protection against any unauthorized access to the devices used for sending the emergency alerts.

As stated by FCC, these measures are required due to the fact that attackers were previously able to take advantage of the vulnerabilities of the emergency alerting equipment, which could result in the creation of a false alarm or blocking of the alerts from being delivered to people.

Greater Protection for Undersea Communication Cables

FCC has set up new security measures for submarine communication cables that comprise almost 99 percent of international internet traffic. The cables are used for connecting different countries by crossing the oceans and form the backbone of global communications.

The operators of the submarine line terminal equipment, which connects the submarine cables with the terrestrial communication network in the US, will now have to apply for FCC license for the first time.

FCC stated that these new licensing procedures are designed to improve the supervision of the equipment that is very important for the global internet infrastructure. In case of fast approval, companies will have to fulfill the national security requirements and cybersecurity certifications.

National Security Concerns Drive the Changes

The FCC stated that this revision is due to increasing threats to national security, including espionage, cyber attacks, and foreign interference in the communication infrastructure. Over the years, the FCC has been concerned with limiting the usage of equipment supplied by firms which are considered a national security risk.

This rule is anticipated to reduce the deployment of technologies in submarine cables from some foreign providers while promoting those providers with high levels of security standards to be used.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr mentioned that organizations that have shown to have good cybersecurity measures and meet national security requirements would get easier access. On the other hand, the providers must not use any technology that can compromise the security of communication networks.

Strengthening Critical Infrastructure for the Future

According to FCC, the proposed cyber-security regulation would help improve the resilience of both emergency alert system and undersea communications network against cyber-attacks. In the current era when governments, corporations, and individuals have been depending much on their digital infrastructure, it is essential to protect the infrastructure for security reasons.

It will be possible by improving the security control measures, maintaining the software, and enhancing authentication, as well as providing adequate oversight over critical communication infrastructures.