WASHINGTON, D.C. — The FCC, through the Enforcement Bureau, convened government partners from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom on Thursday to discuss emerging security and enforcement trends in the communications sector related to national security, data protection, cybersecurity, and transnational fraud, as well as a greater shared commitment to cooperation and collaboration.
The gathering at the Commission’s Headquarters built on existing information sharing and other international cooperation efforts led by Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. The mission of the event was to help ensure the safety of U.S. communications networks.
“This gathering is the first of its kind, and it won’t be the last,” said Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal, who heads the FCC Privacy and Data Protection Task Force. “The threats facing the communications sector are bountiful and know no territorial boundaries, therefore it is imperative that we work with our closest allies to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect our respective citizens and critical infrastructure. I want to thank our international counterparts for their support and commitment to this shared goal.”
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry in Ottawa, commented, “Working with partner nations to enhance the reliability and security of Canada’s telecommunications networks is important in an increasingly connected world. We thank the Federal Communications Commission for organizing this unique opportunity to come together and discuss how best to work together, across borders, to achieve common goals.”
Gerry McQuaid, Director of Telecoms and Internet Security at London-headquartered Ofcom, said, “Security threats to telecoms are global in nature and given the potential impacts we are pleased to work more closely on this topic with our partners at this meeting. Enabling telecoms to be more resilient is in all our interests.”
New Zealand Government Communications Security Bureau’s Deputy Director-General Lisa Fong, responsible for the National Cyber Security Centre, said, “This opportunity to discuss emerging security and enforcement trends with close international partners has been invaluable for New Zealand. We look forward to building on these relationships and collaborating towards our shared mission of helping secure our respective and connected communications networks.”
Among the topics discussed were growing security trends with respect to supply chain vulnerabilities, data breaches, and national security risk mitigation. The shared commitment for greater coordination and cooperation will significantly enhance the effectiveness of each country’s enforcement programs, minimize gaps in enforcement, and foster coordinated enforcement actions.
The FCC has formal consumer protection partnerships with the United Kingdom Office of Communications and the Information Commissioner’s Office of the United Kingdom; the Privacy Commissioner of Canada; and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
