In light of the emerging threats of cyber-attacks, especially the Salt Typhoon cyber spying campaign, the U.S Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has moved to tighten the security standards to the telecoms industry in the United States telecom . The goal of this effort is to improve the level of telecommunications physical security and prevent future attacks on the vital communication infrastructure.
The FCC’s plan also involves the annual certification of Telecommunications firms to establish, maintain and implement robust cybersecurity risk management frameworks. This measure shows that the FCC is now focused on revamping the cybersecurity environment of the telecom sector in the United States telecom , which was seen when cyber threats occurred.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stressed that urgent actions should be taken to strengthen the sector’s protection. A proposed Declaratory Ruling points out that Section 105 of the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) requires carriers to protect their networks against unlawful access and interception. The FCC also issued its NPRM for the public to make suggestions on how the agency can enhance the country’s telecommunication security even further.
The Salt Typhoon campaign by state-sponsored hackers associated with the People’s Republic of China targeted at least eight firms dealing in the U.S. communications industry, including Verizon, AT&T, and Lumen Technologies. They took advantage of system loopholes to infiltrate secure information such as metadata of communications in the United States. As other intelligence agencies are still trying to estimate the full extent of the hack, the FCC’s proposed measures are geared toward preventing future threats from emerging in the first place.
Rosenworcel’s initiative has attracted attention in Washington, especially as worries about the extent of the espionage campaign increase. Following a classified Senate briefing concerning the Salt Typhoon attack, the FCC’s proposal shows an effort to prevent cybersecurity threats in the United States telecom sector.Â
The new cybersecurity requirements are envisaged to create a solid foundation of the protection of telecommunications networks. The Declaratory Ruling would immediately make compliance mandatory while the NPRM would create a platform for a general airing of views on cybersecurity. The measures are to enhance clarity, reinforce defensive positions, and facilitate prevention and counteraction of cyber threats.
A key focus area in the United States telecom sector has been under attack by cyber threats mainly because of its contribution to the support of national communication and infrastructure. Enhancing the cybersecurity measures is critical in preventing the loss of the privacy of several people across the United States. As the FCC and telecom providers work together on such programs, such steps are a positive move towards protecting the sector against increasingly emerging cyber threats.
SOURCE:: infosecurity-magazine.com
