Securing networks, data, and devices is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses and consumers today. The importance of robust cybersecurity protections has never been greater in light of revelations of large data breaches affecting public and private sector entities–large, small, and everything in between.
Through collaboration with industry, the Executive Branch has developed the voluntary NIST Cybersecurity Framework for Critical Infrastructure while Congress continues to develop cybersecurity policies and legislation to help protect American consumers and businesses. WTA, as a member of the CommSector Coordinating Council, works to make sure that the unique challenges facing small rural telecommunications providers and their customers are heard and considered in the process.
WTA has engaged with policymakers since the beginning of investigations by Congress and the Federal Communications Commission into the use of Chinese equipment in USF-supported networks. Of note, WTA has advocated that policymakers be careful not to degrade service in rural America and cause carriers to lose the gains made to bring communications services to those living in rural areas. WTA has advocated that any change not impact the Universal Service Fund (USF) and has also argued that carriers be reimbursed if they are required to remove and replace Chinese equipment. More recently, WTA has argued that any modernization of USF support should take into account the increasing costs imposed by cybersecurity challenges.
Supply Chain Security
Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 – signed into law March 12, 2020
- Industry letter to Senate leadership – sent May 8, 2024
- Industry letter to House Communications Subcommittee – sent January 11, 2024
- Industry letter to Senate Leadership – sent November 7, 2023
- Industry letter to House Counterterrorism Subcommittee – sent March 9, 2023
- Industry letter to Select Committee on Chinese Communist Party – sent February 28, 2023
- Industry letter to Congress on funding shortfall – sent December 8, 2022
- Industry letter to Congress on funding shortfall – sent March 3, 2022
- Industry letter to Congress on funding – sent May 21, 2020
- Public Notice seeking comments on STCN Act’s impact of Huawei and ZTE designations – released March 13, 2020
- WTA comments on PN – filed March 27, 2020
- Public Notice seeking comment on Section 4 of the STCN Act – released April 13, 2020
- WTA comments on PN – filed May 20, 2020
Report and Order, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Order – adopted November 22, 2019
- WTA comments on FNPRM – filed February 3, 2020
- Public Notice in response to 2019 NDAA – released October 26, 2018
- WTA comments – filed November 16, 2018
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – adopted April 17, 2018
- WTA comments – filed June 1, 2018
Border Gateway Protocol Notice of Inquiry – adopted February 28, 2022
- WTA comments on NOI – filed April 11, 2022
Executive Order 13873: Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain – signed on May 15, 2019
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- NIST Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity