The FCC Wednesday approved an inquiry examining the ability of...
The FCC Wednesday approved an inquiry examining the ability of existing broadband networks to withstand major damage or severe overloading because of natural disasters, terrorist attack, pandemic or other major public emergencies, as recommended in the National Broadband Plan. The…
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text of the notice of inquiry wasn’t released by our deadline. “This NOI examines the survivability of broadband infrastructure by seeking comment on the ability of existing broadband communications networks to withstand disasters, including whether there is adequate network redundancy, whether our networks can function in times of service overload, and whether physical network facilities can withstand harm,” said Chairman Julius Genachowski. “We all learned the hard way that natural disasters and man-made attacks can have devastating effects on our communications infrastructure and how integral communications are to our safety and security in a dangerous world,” said Commissioner Michael Copps. “Network survivability has a lot to do with national survivability when tragedy strikes.” The agency also sought comment on the proposed creation of a voluntary cyber security certification program that would encourage communications service providers to implement cyber security best practices. “The NOI seeks comment on a voluntary certification program under which private sector auditors or the FCC would conduct security assessments of participating communications service providers’ networks, including their compliance with stringent cyber security practices developed by a broad-based public-private partnership,” the FCC said in a news release. “Providers whose networks successfully completed this assessment would then be able to market their networks as complying with these FCC network security requirements."