FCC charts 'Cybersecurity Roadmap' with public's help

The Federal Communications Commission wants help in developing its plan for dealing with vulnerabilities of core Internet protocols and technologies, as well as online threats to consumers, businesses and government agencies.

The FCC posted a public notice Aug. 9 requesting comments on the role the commission should play in cybersecurity programs. Those comments will be used as the commission develops its cybersecurity plan or “Cybersecurity Roadmap.”

The road map was called for in the FCC’s overall plan to expand broadband access in the United States. That overall strategy, called the National Broadband Plan (NBP), was released by the commission in March.

“Cybersecurity is a vital topic for the commission because end-user lack of trust in online experiences will quell demand for broadband services, and unchecked vulnerabilities in the communications infrastructure could threaten life, safety and privacy,” the commission wrote.

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The commission said the delay is needed to ensure a complete response to this public notice. Comments will be accepted until Sept. 23.

The commission said it’s interested in responses on:

• The most vital cybersecurity vulnerabilities for communication networks and users.
• Ways to deal with the vulnerabilities and the role the commission should play in doing so.
• The roles other organizations should play if the FCC isn’t involved in fixing a problem.
• How the commission should coordinate with other parts of the government.