Threat Management

New emergency alert system security rules OKd by FCC

New regulations aimed at strengthening the cyber defenses of emergency and wireless alert systems have been approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, reports The Record, a news site by cybersecurity firm Recorded Future. Aside from requiring the reporting of data breaches against public warning systems within a 72-hour period, operators of such systems have also been mandated by the new rules to ensure up-to-date security software in their systems, as well as certify their cybersecurity risk management plan yearly. "This requirement would allow the Commission to work with participants and other government agencies to resolve an equipment compromise before it is exploited to send false alerts," said FCC Cybersecurity and Communications Reliability Division Deputy Chief James Wiley. FCC Commissioner Geoffrey Starks emphasized the importance of the newly approved rules following the discovery of more than 5,000 devices with outdated software in August. Such regulations also come after a Washington state-based local cable provider's system was compromised in 2020 to disseminate false radiological emergency report.

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