The Federal Communications Commission announced on July 22 the creation of six new working groups to assist the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CISRIC) VII in carrying out its work.
The new working groups are:
- Working Group 1: Alert Originator Standard Operating Procedures
Chair: Craig Fugate, America’s Public Television Stations
FCC Liaison: James Wiley - Working Group 2: Managing Security Risk in the Transition to 5G
Chair: Lee Thibaudeau, Nsight
FCC Liaison: Kurian Jacob - Working Group 3: Managing Security Risk in Emerging 5G Implementations
Chair: Farrokh Khatibi, Qualcomm
FCC Liaison: Steven Carpenter - Working Group 4: 911 Security Vulnerabilities During the IP [Internet Protocol] Transition
Chair: Mary A. Boyd, West Safety Services
FCC Liaison: Rasoul Safavian - Working Group 5: Improving Broadcast Resiliency
Chair: Pat Roberts, Florida Association of Broadcasters
FCC Liaison: Robert “Beau” Finley - Working Group 6: SIP [Session Initiation Protocol] Security Vulnerabilities
Chair: Danny McPherson, Verisign
FCC Liaison: Ahmed Lahjouji
On its website, the FCC provides a lengthier description of each working group’s responsibilities, as well as key milestones the group is expected to achieve.
The FCC is currently seeing applications for membership to the new working groups, saying it wants “to ensure that the working groups represent a range of interests and have the requisite technical expertise to address the assigned tasks.” The Commission said it is interested in applications from representatives of the communications industry; Federal, state, local, and tribal governments; public safety agencies; disability groups and organizations; and representatives of public interest groups. The FCC also noted that it may appoint individuals to working groups as “Special Government Employees,” based on their individual expertise. Applications are due by Monday, August 5.
