NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. -- Spectrum sharing between commercial and federal users is critical, but the big emerging theme is that industry needs “certainty” and more work must be done on licensed sharing, said spectrum panelists from high-technology companies at the Telecommunications Industry Association’s annual show Wednesday. Sharing has been the Obama administration’s big spectrum focus.
Implementation of President Barack Obama’s cybersecurity executive order is on an indefinite hold at most federal agencies because of the government shutdown, the effects of which vary, said industry observers. The order directed the Department of Homeland Security and National Institute of Standards and Technology to execute most provisions, though the departments of Defense and Treasury, U.S. intelligence agencies and sector-specific agencies also hold implementation responsibilities (WID Feb 14 p1). Much of the public attention related to the order has focused on NIST’s work with critical infrastructure industries to develop the voluntary Cybersecurity Framework, but observers said development of the framework will be almost entirely unaffected by even an extended shutdown. Other parts of the order will be more adversely affected by further delays, they said.
Implementation of President Barack Obama’s cybersecurity executive order is on an indefinite hold at most federal agencies because of the government shutdown, the effects of which vary, said industry observers. The order directed the Department of Homeland Security and National Institute of Standards and Technology to execute most provisions, though the departments of Defense and Treasury, U.S. intelligence agencies and sector-specific agencies also hold implementation responsibilities (CD Feb 14 p1). Much of the public attention related to the order has focused on NIST’s work with critical infrastructure industries to develop the voluntary Cybersecurity Framework, but observers said development of the framework will be almost entirely unaffected by even an extended shutdown. Other parts of the order will be more adversely affected by further delays, they said.
FirstNet is especially critical to emergency medical services, among all first responders, said board member Kevin McGinnis at a half-day workshop Monday on the emergency network at the Telecommunications Industry Association’s annual conference in National Harbor, Md. McGinnis, president of North East Mobile Health Services, represents EMS on the board. FirstNet was a rare joint effort of police, fire and EMS working together on a single project, he said.
The rise of international digital protectionism and insufficient digital trade rules in global trade pacts are hampering small business growth by inhibiting the free flow of information across borders, said a group of international experts at a George Washington University Institute for International Economic Policy panel on Oct. 7. But emerging international trade agreements, notably the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), have the potential to include the most progressive digital trade and tariff harmonization language to date, said a number of the panelists.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week showcased “a misreading of the law and a failure of leadership,” ranking member Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told Clapper in a letter Friday (http://1.usa.gov/GANPUB). Clapper had testified about cumulative risks to U.S. national security that grow each day of the government shutdown, which affected more than 70 percent of the workforce of the country’s intelligence agencies (CD Oct 3 p6). “There appears to be no reason why the fundamental national security of the nation should be compromised during the partial government shutdown,” Grassley said. “In fact, it is your role as Director of National Intelligence to ensure that the work the IC [intelligence community] performs that is necessary for the nation’s security continues uninterrupted.” Clapper had mentioned that he was considering recalling furloughed employees, but Grassley said if so, they should not have been furloughed in the first place. If Clapper is really worried, it’s his duty to press the government to enact emergency legislation to change that, Grassley said.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper’s testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week showcased “a misreading of the law and a failure of leadership,” ranking member Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told Clapper in a letter Friday (http://1.usa.gov/GANPUB). Clapper had testified about cumulative risks to U.S. national security that grow each day of the government shutdown, which affected more than 70 percent of the workforce of the country’s intelligence agencies (WID Oct 3 p1). “There appears to be no reason why the fundamental national security of the nation should be compromised during the partial government shutdown,” Grassley said. “In fact, it is your role as Director of National Intelligence to ensure that the work the IC [intelligence community] performs that is necessary for the nation’s security continues uninterrupted.” Clapper had mentioned that he was considering recalling furloughed employees, but Grassley said if so, they should not have been furloughed in the first place. If Clapper is really worried, it’s his duty to press the government to enact emergency legislation to change that, Grassley said.
CBP has stopped the processing of ruling requests as a result of the ongoing impasse over government funding, said people with knowledge of the agency's operations. Several CBP officials in the Office of Regulations and Rulings said in voicemail messages they weren't at work because of the shutdown. CBP has estimated that 52,673, of its 59,561 employees will be "exempt and estimated to be retained during a federal funding hiatus." Most of those exemptions are related to the agencies ongoing revenue collections (see 13093028).
Broadcasters provide the backbone of the emergency alert system, testified Barry Fraser, general manager of Maranatha Broadcasting’s WFMZ-TV Allentown, Pa., on Wednesday before the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. He spoke on behalf of NAB and advocated for two priorities in keeping the EAS system strong. “State and local safety officials should receive ongoing training to properly use and protect the integrity of the EAS,” Fraser said in written testimony (http://1.usa.gov/18QkldO). “We strongly urge the committee to incorporate training into any legislation considered.” Fraser also urged the committee to create a National Advisory Committee on Emergency Alerting to “bring all stakeholders together, to ensure continual improvements to the system.” CTIA has been active in its own wireless alerts, testified Executive Vice President Chris Guttman-McCabe (http://1.usa.gov/1brISM4). He said the wireless emergency alerts system “went live in April 2012 and carriers serving 98 percent of U.S. wireless consumers have opted to participate in the program.” He urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help educate consumers with the use of such alerts. “FEMA has worked over the past four years with emergency managers and public safety officials at all levels of government, the private sector, NOAA, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to develop and deploy the [Integrated Public Alert and Warning System] capabilities that are being used across the nation today to send citizens alerts and warnings quickly,” FEMA said in its written testimony (http://1.usa.gov/1brJuBw). It was a joint submission from Damon Penn, assistant administrator of the National Continuity Programs, and Fred Endrikat, Urban Search and Rescue branch chief for FEMA.
Wireline networks can get congested too. That’s one Verizon response to an FCC request seeking information on the suitability of its fixed wireless product, Voice Link, as a substitute for wireline. The FCC is considering Verizon’s Section 214 application to discontinue copper wireline services on the New Jersey Barrier Islands. Verizon amended that filing Friday to reflect its recent announcement that it would install fiber on Fire Island in New York (CD Sept 11 p3). Verizon intends to complete its fiber deployment by summer, it said.