The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Friday it will re-establish the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC), with a focus on “improving 5G network security.”
This will be the FCC’s eighth charter of CSRIC. The CSRIC serves as a Federal advisory committee that makes recommendations to the Commission “to improve the security, reliability, and interoperability of the nation’s communications systems.”
“I am committed to working with our Federal partners and the private sector to increase the security and resiliency of our nation’s communications networks,” Acting FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in an April 15 press release. “That is why I am refocusing and revitalizing the FCC’s Communications, Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council for the challenges of today and tomorrow. The damage from recent supply chain attacks… demonstrates our need for a coordinated, multifaceted, and strategic approach to protecting our networks from all threats.”
Rosenworcel will also ask the council “to review software and cloud services vulnerabilities and to develop mitigation strategies.” She also pledged to diversify CSRIC’s members, seeking a wide variety of stakeholders and Federal partners with similar interests. The Commission is currently seeking nominations for a chairperson and council members.
The FCC intends to re-establish CSRIC either on or before June 30, 2021, for a two-year period. The council’s first meeting is expected in September 2021.
