
Michael J. Sheppeard
Partner
212-784-6939 msheppeard@sh-law.comFirm Insights
Author: Michael J. Sheppeard
Date: September 10, 2021
Partner
212-784-6939 msheppeard@sh-law.comCybersecurity oversight appears to be shifting under the Biden Administration, with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) poised to take on a much larger role. While some of the agencies’ expanded cyber authority would be mandated under legislation working its way through Congress, the FCC is also exploring its own cybersecurity-related rulemakings.
On July 21, 2021, the House of Representatives’ Energy and Commerce Committee advanced a package of eight cybersecurity bills aimed to improve the security of the country’s telecommunications networks and supply chains. “Collectively, these bills will only further our commitment to increasing the safety and security of our networks and supply chains, while at the same time increasing competition and innovation in the telecommunications marketplace,” committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) said in a press statement.
Below is a brief summary of the cyber legislation:
The bills now head to the full House of Representatives.
The FCC is also exploring rulemakings that would expand its cyber oversight. In June, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and Notice of Inquiry (NOI) that includes several rulemaking initiatives aimed at boosting cybersecurity, including a ban on equipment authorizations for devices deemed to pose a threat to national security. The NOI also solicited feedback on how the FCC can leverage its equipment authorization program to encourage manufacturers who are making devices that will connect to U.S. networks to incorporate cybersecurity standards and guidelines. In June, FCC Republican Nathan Simington publicly made the case for the FCC playing a greater role in safeguarding critical infrastructure from cyberattacks. “In this age of ransomware attacks, there’s an ever-greater need for increased cybersecurity protections, and there’s a specific role, I believe, for the FCC to play in looking at the signal side of cybersecurity,” Simington said at a virtual event hosted by the Hudson Institute. “I believe that taking a close look at how receiver and physical device security standards can be improved at the FCC will help us find precise solutions to these issues.”
If you have any questions or if you would like to discuss the matter further, please contact me, Michael Sheppeard, or the Scarinci Hollenbeck attorney with whom you work, at 201-896-4100.
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
For years, digital assets operated in a legal gray area, a frontier where innovation outpaced the reach of regulators and law enforcement. In this early “Wild West” phase of finance, crypto startups thrived under minimal oversight. That era, however, is coming to an end. The importance of crypto compliance has become paramount as cryptocurrency has […]
Author: Bryce S. Robins
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services vitiating the so-called “background circumstances” test required by half of federal circuit courts.1 The background circumstances test required majority group plaintiffs pleading discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act to meet a heightened pleading standard […]
Author: Matthew F. Mimnaugh
Special purpose acquisition companies (better known as SPACs) appear to be making a comeback. SPAC offerings for 2025 have already nearly surpassed last year’s totals, with additional transactions in the pipeline. SPACs last experienced a boom between 2020–2021, with approximately 600 U.S. companies raising a record $163 billion in 2021. Notable companies that went public […]
Author: Dan Brecher
Merging two companies is a complex legal and business transaction. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process that involves important corporate governance considerations. A short form merger, in which an acquiring company merges with a subsidiary corporation, offers a more streamlined process. However, […]
Author: Dan Brecher
The Trump Administration’s new tariffs are having an oversized impact on small businesses, which already tend to operate on razor thin margins. Many businesses have been forced to raise prices, find new suppliers, lay off staff, and delay growth plans. For businesses facing even more dire financial circumstances, there are additional tariff response options, including […]
Author: Brian D. Spector
Business partnerships, much like marriages, function exceptionally well when partners are aligned but can become challenging when disagreements arise. Partnership disputes often stem from conflicts over business strategy, financial management, and unclear role definitions among partners. Understanding Business Partnership Conflicts Partnership conflicts place significant stress on businesses, making proactive measures essential. Partnerships should establish detailed […]
Author: Christopher D. Warren
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!