FCC Approves Cybersecurity Rules for Emergency Alerts and Undersea Cables
Summary
The FCC approved rules requiring stronger authentication, passwords, patching and firewalls for emergency alert systems, while updating undersea cable licensing, oversight and supply-chain security requirements.
Key points
- The rules cover the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), which deliver public warnings through broadcast media and text messages.
- EAS and WEA participants must use strong passwords, promptly install vendor security patches and use firewalls to limit access to equipment.
- A new authentication ID system is intended to verify alerts and prevent duplicate or unauthorized submissions.
- The FCC updated submarine cable regulations, including conditional licensing-review exemptions for providers that meet high security standards and accept ongoing oversight and monitoring.
- Submarine line terminal equipment operators will face a new licensing requirement, and the rules update safeguards for equipment, third-party providers and other supply-chain risks.
Article Details
- Event Type
- FCC adoption of cybersecurity and regulatory rules for emergency alert systems and U.S. undersea cables
- Impact
- The rules require stronger authentication, passwords, patching, firewalls, and monitoring for the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts, aiming to reduce hijacking and unauthorized or duplicate alerts. They also update submarine cable licensing and supply-chain oversight, including new licensing requirements for submarine line terminal equipment. The article reports no specific compromise or service disruption.