The “Communications Security Act” sponsored by U.S. Reps. Rob Menendez (D-8) and Dr. John Joyce (PA-13) to better protect telecommunications infrastructure from cybersecurity attacks cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“As cyberattacks and threats continue to rise across the country and globally, we have an obligation to protect our national security and defend against them,” Menendez, a House Energy and Commerce Committee member, said in a statement.
“This bill will ensure that we continue the important work of safeguarding vital telecommunications systems, giving national security, law enforcement, and emergency services personnel the resources they need to protect our communities against cyberattacks and widespread disruptions.”
The bill would require the FCC to permanently establish the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.
Their broad membership of communications stakeholders advises the FCC on issues related to public safety and homeland security, including: the reliability of communications systems and infrastructure, 911 and the transition to Next Generation 911, emergency alerting, and national security and emergency preparedness communications.
“Adversarial nations have been allowed to take advantage of the vulnerabilities in our critical communications infrastructure for far too long, threatening the systems that we rely on every day,” added Joyce.
“I am proud to see the Communications Security Act pass out of Committee in a bipartisan manner, and I look forward to seeing this swiftly pass on the House floor.”
