In an Order issued today, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) rescinded its “Cybersecurity Risk Reduction” whitepaper (“Whitepaper), issued on January 18, 2017. The FCC did not, however, discontinue its cybersecurity rulemaking, which remains in effect.
As detailed in a previous article on 5G security issues, the FCC has commenced a proceeding in which IoT stakeholders can opine on various cybersecurity matters and help shape future rules as to whether and to what extent IoT device suppliers should be responsible for securing their products and their potential liability to third parties for breaches. Comments may include, for example, information as to market practices and conditions that mitigate the need for regulatory oversight. Comments are due by April 24, 2017 and reply comments are due by May 23, 2017. With the rescission of the Whitepaper, comments in this proceeding become all the more important, as the FCC has discarded its pre-determined guidelines.
IoT Attorney Ronald E. Quirk, is head of the Internet of Things & Connected Devices Practice Group at Marashlian & Donahue PLLC, The CommLaw Group, where he focuses his practice on the serving the comprehensive needs of the burgeoning and complex Internet of Things industry, including: contracts and commercial law, privacy & cybersecurity, spectrum access, equipment authorization, tax, regulatory compliance planning, and more. His career has spanned more than 20 years, including several years at AMLAW 100 firms and the FCC. He can be reached at req@commlawgroup.com or (703) 714-1305.
