FCC passes new cybersecurity rules for emergency systems, undersea cables

The FCC approved new cybersecurity rules tightening protections for the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts—requiring stronger passwords, timely patching, firewalls, and a new authentication ID to prevent unauthorized or duplicate alerts—and updated submarine cable regulations to tighten some cybersecurity requirements while exempting certain providers that self-certify to high security standards, add oversight for submarine line terminal equipment, and address supply-chain vulnerabilities.