Ethical Hacking News
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has revoked a set of telecom cybersecurity rules introduced after the Salt Typhoon espionage campaign, reversing course on measures designed to stop state-backed snoops from slipping back into America's networks. The decision has been met with criticism from industry experts and security advocates, who argue that abandoning enforceable requirements would leave the country less secure at a time when hostile states are visibly probing and exploiting telecom networks.
The FCC has revoked a set of rules introduced in January following the Salt Typhoon espionage campaign.Critics argue that this approach is inadequate and sets a worrying precedent for future threats.The FCC claims that providers have taken proactive measures to address their cybersecurity vulnerabilities without explicit guidance.Commissioner Anna Gomez dissented, warning that abandoning enforceable requirements would leave the country less secure.The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) argues that the gutting of the rules creates a "safe harbor" for insecure cybersecurity practices.Smaller carriers may struggle to maintain the same defensive posture as larger operators without universal baselines.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken a drastic step back from its previous stance on telecom cybersecurity, revoking a set of rules introduced in January following the Salt Typhoon espionage campaign. The decision, which was met with criticism from industry experts and security advocates, marks a notable pivot from the mood earlier this year, when Salt Typhoon was revealed to have burrowed into multiple US telecom companies and lingered inside key systems.
In its announcement, the FCC claims that providers have already stepped up access controls, improved incident response, and generally become more attentive to cyber risks – less thanks to the rule itself and more due to what the agency frames as a voluntary clean-up effort after the intrusions. The Commission describes this cooperation as "extensive, urgent, and coordinated," suggesting that carriers took proactive measures to address their cybersecurity vulnerabilities without needing explicit guidance from the FCC.
However, critics argue that this approach is inadequate and sets a worrying precedent for future threats. Commissioner Anna Gomez dissented in the 2-1 vote, warning that abandoning enforceable requirements would leave the country less secure at a time when hostile states are visibly probing and exploiting telecom networks. When the next breach occurs, there will be no standards to measure compliance and no mechanism for determining which safeguards should have been in place, according to Gomez.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) has also spoken out against the gutting of the rules, arguing that the FCC is attempting "to create a sort of safe harbor for insecure cybersecurity practices." This position echoes concerns raised by security experts and researchers, who point out that lax regulations can embolden malicious actors and make it more challenging to respond effectively to emerging threats.
The reversal also raises questions about the effectiveness of voluntary cooperation as a substitute for formal oversight. While it is true that improved cybersecurity practices have been observed in the sector since Salt Typhoon, smaller carriers may struggle to maintain the same defensive posture as larger operators, a key argument in favor of setting universal baselines following the revelations.
The FCC's new leadership has emphasized an "agile" approach, pointing to targeted rules adopted elsewhere and its newly established Council on National Security. This Council aims to coordinate with federal partners on threats ranging from espionage to supply-chain compromise, suggesting that the agency is attempting to strike a balance between security and regulatory burden.
However, it remains unclear whether this new approach will be sufficient to address the growing concern about telecom cybersecurity in the United States. As one industry expert noted, "Determined state-sponsored crews are already sitting within some of those networks – and they're willing to exploit any oversight gap." Whether voluntary cooperation is enough to prevent future breaches is an open question.
In a broader context, this decision reflects the evolving landscape of US telecommunications policy, where emerging threats require innovative solutions. The FCC's shift on telecom rules also underscores the tension between regulatory certainty and flexibility in addressing rapidly changing security landscapes.
In the coming months, it will be crucial for policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society organizations to engage in a comprehensive dialogue about the implications of this decision. By examining the trade-offs between effective regulation and operational agility, stakeholders can contribute to developing more robust cybersecurity measures that balance security concerns with the need for flexibility in the face of emerging threats.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/FCC-Gutting-of-Post-Salt-Typhoon-Telecom-Rules-A-Step-Backwards-for-National-Security-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/11/24/fcc_salt_typhoon_rules/
Published: Mon Nov 24 07:24:54 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
