Congressional leaders are asking Trump administration officials for briefings on efforts to secure America’s telecommunications networks in the wake of the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Reps. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mike Doyle (D-PA) sent letters to the heads of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asking what steps have been taken to help communications providers prepare and defend against potential cyberattacks.
“We are concerned that Iran, its allies, or other entities wishing to take advantage of this situation might retaliate by attacking U.S. communications networks, or use such networks to attack other targets,” Pallone and Doyle wrote. “To protect the American people, the government must proactively work with industry to identify potential threats and aid carriers in the defense of critical communications infrastructure. It is paramount that the U.S. Government work with all network providers, and particularly smaller carriers and those that might not otherwise have the means or ability to defend against any attack.”
Pallone chairs the Energy and Commerce Committee while Doyle chairs the Communications and Technology Subcommittee. The two committee leaders pointed out that Iran has previously conducted cyberattacks against American businesses in response to U.S. government actions.
They are requesting a briefing from the FCC and DHS by Feb. 5. Specifically, they want to know what actions, if any, the government has taken to ensure private network operators are prepared for a potential cyberattack from Iran, its allies, or others wishing to take advantage of the current escalation of tensions; when the Administration or Commission took such action(s), if at all; what actions the network providers taken to protect their networks from cyberattack by nation states, including Iran. And when network providers took such actions, if any, and to what events were they responding. Also, have network providers been subject to an increase in cyberattacks since Jan. 2.