Cybersecurity Policy Report, FCC Hosts International Communications Sector Security Discussions, (Nov 4, 2024)

By Lynn Stanton

Government officials from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States whose portfolios include communications, cybersecurity, and transnational fraud issues met Thursday at FCC headquarters in Washington to build on “existing information sharing and other international cooperation efforts” to enhance a “common mission to help ensure the safety of our communications networks,” according to the FCC.

Participants discussed “growing security trends with respect to supply chain vulnerabilities, data breaches, and national security risk mitigation,” the FCC said.

FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal said, “This gathering is the first of its kind, and it won’t be the last. The threats facing the communications sector are bountiful and know no territorial boundaries, therefore it is imperative that we work with our closest allies to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our respective citizens and critical infrastructure. I want to thank our international counterparts for their support and commitment to this shared goal.”

Lisa Fong, deputy director–general of New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau with responsibility for its National Cyber Security Centre, said, “This opportunity to discuss emerging security and enforcement trends with close international partners has been invaluable for New Zealand. We look forward to building on these relationships and collaborating towards our shared mission of helping secure our respective and connected communications networks.”

François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s minister of innovation, science, and industry, said, “Working with partner nations to enhance the reliability and security of Canada’s telecommunications networks is important in an increasingly connected world.”

Gerry McQuaid, director–telecoms and Internet security at the U.K.’s Office of Communications (Ofcom), said, “Security threats to telecoms are global in nature and given the potential impacts we are pleased to work more closely on this topic with our partners at this meeting. Enabling telecoms to be more resilient is in all our interests.”

News: FederalLegislation InternationalLegislation DataSecurity