U.S. Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden announced a new plan aimed at protecting the U.S. telephone network and Americans' communications in response to a massive hack of telecommunications providers allegedly carried out by Chinese government hackers. announced the bill.
Wyden announced the Secure America Communications Act in a press release Tuesday. The bill would direct the Federal Communications Commission to “implement certain cybersecurity requirements” and require telecommunications providers to conduct annual tests to assess network vulnerabilities. Hiring independent auditors to ensure carriers are compliant with new FCC cybersecurity rules. and submit documentation from tests and audits, as well as statements from the CEO and chief information security officer that the carrier complies with FCC rules.
“Congress must step up and pass mandatory security rules to ultimately protect our communications systems from the proliferation of hackers and spies,” Wyden said in a press release.