FCC rescinds telco cybersecurity regulations

Multiple cybersecurity regulations for telecommunications providers implemented near the end of the Biden administration following the far-reaching Salt Typhoon breach have been repealed by the Federal Communications Commission, reports The Record, a news site by cybersecurity firm Recorded Future.

Biden's declaratory ruling, which would have required improved network security and annual certifications for a cyber risk management plan, was "neither lawful nor effective," according to FCC Chair Brendan Carr, who noted that the FCC has already partnered with carriers to ensure accelerated equipment remediation, access control reviews, and tighter cybersecurity information sharing. The FCC's decision has been criticized by FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez and Senate Democrats.

"Handshake agreements without teeth will not stop state-sponsored hackers in their effort to infiltrate networks. They will not prevent the next breach. If voluntary cooperation were enough, we would not be sitting here today in the wake of Salt Typhoon," said Gomez, who was appointed by Biden.