Cybersecurity Policy Report, Report on AI/ML Security Approved by FCC Council, (Jun 13, 2025)
Organizations Mentioned:AT&T
By Jeff Williams
The FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) yesterday approved a report on threats posed by artificial intelligence/machine learning submitted by its working group on AI.
In a presentation regarding the AI/ML report during a hybrid meeting, the co-chairs of the working group on harnessing AI and ML to ensure the security, reliability, and integrity of the nation’s communications networks, Vijay Gurbani, chief data scientist at Vail Systems, Inc., and Jason Hogg, general manager-Azure for operators at Microsoft Corp., noted that while AI could complement existing network management procedures and provide intelligent resource allocation and network optimization, it also presented new security risks and vulnerabilities that must be considered.
The report’s findings include that controlling access to networks “remains important, perhaps more so in the face of AI/ML,” and that continuous monitoring and anomaly detection are needed to promptly identify and respond to unusual network behavior, the presenters noted.
Among other things, the presenters discussed how regular assessment and updates of AI systems are required, as are the use of thorough testing and validation protocols. The report also suggests general security best practices, including taking a “zero trust” approach to security, ensuring access controls and data protection for all layers of the network, securing data, and using standardized security protocols.
The recommendations covered in the presentation related to defending against AI-derived incursions included accelerating software patch evaluations and deployments and engaging in continuous monitoring and AI-based anomaly detection. The report also includes recommended best practices for AI deployment, including determining data provenance, regular output testing and evaluation, and strengthening supply chain security.
Brian Daly, assistant vice president-wireless technology strategy and standards at AT&T, Inc., and co-chair of the working group on preparing for 6G security and reliability, said the working group was “on target” to complete its report and recommendations in December.
Among other things, Mr. Daly reiterated statements made during previous presentations that 6G network architecture and security standards were still in development, with security and resiliency “front and center” among the factors under consideration.
News: FederalLegislation DataSecurity