Establishing the Digital Opportunity Data Collection; Modernizing the FCC Form 477 Data Program

Fed Reg Notice 86 FR 18124

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/04/07/2021-04998/establishing-the-digital-opportunity-data-collection-modernizing-the-fcc-form-477-data-program

In this document, a Third Report and Order adopted by the Commission establishes important measures for collecting highly accurate and reliable broadband data, including requiring facilities-based fixed service providers to report broadband internet access service coverage in the Digital Opportunity Data Collection and to identify where such services are offered to residential locations as well as where they are offered to business locations; requiring the collection of speed and latency information from fixed service providers; requiring terrestrial fixed wireless services providers to report on the coordinates of their base stations; and requiring mobile providers to provide additional information reporting concerning provider networks and propagation, which will allow the Commission to verify provider data more effectively. In addition, the Third Report and Order establishes the requirements for challenges to fixed and mobile service coverage reporting and for challenges to the Fabric data. The Third Report and Order also establishes standards for identifying locations that will be included in the Fabric and establishes standards for enforcement of the requirements associated with the Digital Opportunity Data Collection.

FCC Re establishes CSRIC - Focuses on 5G Security

FCC ACTING CHAIRWOMAN ANNOUNCES COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY, RELIABILITY, AND INTEROPERABILITY COUNCIL WILL FOCUS ON 5G NETWORK SECURITY AND SOFTWARE VULNERABILITIES. The Commission will re-establish the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council with a primary focus on improving 5G network security.. by News Release. OMR OCHJR PSHSB. DOC-371641A1.docx DOC-371641A1.pdf DOC-371641A1.txt

Released: 2021-04-15. FCC ANNOUNCES INTENT TO RE-ESTABLISH THE COMMUNICATIONS SECURITY, RELIABILITY, AND INTEROPERABILITY COUNCIL AND SOLICITS NOMINATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP. (DA No. 21-430). The FCC announces that it intends to re-establish the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council on or before June 30, 2021, and seeks nominations for membership. PSHSB. Contact: Suzon Cameron at (202) 418-1916, Kurian Jacob at (202) 418-2040 or via the CSRIC e-mail account at CSRIC@fcc.gov. News Media Contact: Rochelle Cohen at (202) 418-1162, email: Rochelle.Cohen@fcc.gov. DA-21-430A1.docx DA-21-430A1.pdf DA-21-430A1.txt

I

      By this Public Notice, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission), consistent with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA),^[1] announces its intent to re-establish the Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council (CSRIC or Council) on or before June 30, 2021.  This will be the FCC's eighth charter of CSRIC.  The Commission intends to re-establish CSRIC VIII for a period of two (2) years, with an expected first meeting in September of 2021.  By this Public Notice, we also seek nominations for membership and a chairperson for the Council.

 

            CSRIC VIII will provide advice and recommendations to the Commission to improve the security, reliability, and interoperability of the nation's communications systems.  Among other issues, Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel will ask CSRIC VIII to identify 5G security as a primary focus.  In addition, following security breaches that have impacted the communications sector, she will ask CSRIC VIII to review risks to service provider operations from attacks in software and cloud services stacks and to develop mitigation strategies.  Finally, in seeking nominations for CSRIC VIII, Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel will seek to diversify the group's membership to include a broad variety of stakeholders, including representation from the FCC's federal government partners with similar interests.

 

            All organizational or individual members appointed to the Council or its working groups are subject to an ethics review by the Commission's Office of General Counsel.  Some applicants possessing expertise or perspectives of interest to the Council, and who have been appointed to serve on the Council  in an individual capacity (and not as the representative of a nonprofit organization, corporation, or other entity), are deemed to be Special Government Employees (SGEs).  Such individuals are ineligible to serve if they are federally registered lobbyists.  SGEs are subject to a variety of restrictions under the conflict of interest statutes, 18 U.S.C. § 203 et seq., and the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Executive Branch, 5 C.F.R. Part 2635.  SGEs must file confidential employee financial disclosure reports prior to beginning their service and annually thereafter.  SGEs will also be subject to ethics restrictions in section 4(b) of the Communications Act, 47 U.S.C. § 154(b), and in the Commission's rules, 47 CFR Part 19 and 5 CFR Parts 3901 and 3902. 

 

            All members will have an initial and continuing obligation to disclose any interests in, or connections to, persons or entities that are, or will be, regulated by or have interests before the Commission.  Council members will not be compensated for their service.    

 

            Nominations for membership must be submitted to the FCC no later than Tuesday, June 1, 2021.  Procedures for submitting nominations are set forth below.

 

MISSION

 

            The purpose of the Council is to provide recommendations to the FCC regarding ways the FCC can strive for security, reliability, and interoperability of the nation's communications systems.  CSRIC VIII's recommendations will focus on a range of public safety- and homeland security-related communications matters, including:  (1) the security and reliability of communications systems and infrastructure; (2) 911, Enhanced 911 (E911), and Next Generation 911 (NG911); (3) emergency alerting; and (4) national security/emergency preparedness (NS/EP) communications, including law enforcement access to communications.  CSRIC VIII will be organized under, and will operate in accordance with, the provisions of FACA.  As authorized by FACA, the Council is authorized to facilitate its work through informal subcommittees, or other subgroups of the Council, which shall report their activities and recommendations to the Council as a whole.

 

WHO MAY APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP

 

            The Commission seeks applications from representatives of various sectors of the communications industry, representatives of state and local government agencies and organizations, and representatives of consumers and community organizations that wish to be considered for membership on the CSRIC.  The Commission is particularly interested in receiving nominations and expressions of interest from individuals and organizations in the following categories:

 

·       State, tribal, territorial and/or local government agencies and organizations with expertise in communications, public safety, emergency management and/or homeland security matters;

·       Federal government agencies with expertise in communications, public safety, emergency management and/or homeland security matters;

·       Communications service providers and/or industry organizations representing communications service providers (to include representation by different types of communications provider interests, e.g., wireless, wireless, broadcast radio and television, and by including representation by smaller and rural providers);

·       Developers of software applications and operating systems for mobile and desktop computing devices;

·       Developers of mobile devices;

·       Developers of new technologies;

·       Organizations and other entities representing users of communications systems, such as organizations representing the business, finance, energy, education, health care, and similar sectors;

·       Consumer or community organizations, such as those representing people with disabilities, the elderly, those living in rural areas, and those representing populations that speak, as their primary language, languages other than English; and

·       Qualified representatives of other stakeholders and interested parties with relevant expertise regarding the subject matter.

 

Members will be selected to balance the expertise and viewpoints that are necessary to effectively address the issues to be considered by the Council. 

 

OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS AND COUNCIL MEETINGS

 

            Members will serve at the discretion of Acting Chairwoman Rosenworcel of the FCC.  Members will be encouraged to participate in deliberations of at least one (1) informal subcommittee or subgroup, if any are established.  The time commitment for participation in any informal subcommittee or other subgroup may be substantial.  However, subcommittee or other subgroup meetings may be conducted informally, using suitable technology to facilitate the meetings, subject to oversight by the Designated Federal Officer of CSRIC VIII. 

 

            Meetings of the full Council shall be open to the public and timely notice of each meeting shall be published in the Federal Register and shall be further publicized through other appropriate vehicles.  All such meetings will be fully accessible to individuals with disabilities.

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE, DEADLINE, AND MEMBER APPOINTMENTS

           

Organizational Applicants 

           

            Applications from nonprofit organizations, corporations, or other entities ("organizational applicants") should include the following:

 

·       Name, title, and organization of the nominee and a description of the organization, sector or other interest the nominee will represent;

·       Nominee's mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number;

·       A statement summarizing the nominee's qualifications and reasons why the nominee should be appointed to the Council; and

·       A statement, if the nominee will represent a specific organization, describing the organization as well as the benefit of having the organization represented on the Council.

 

            For applicants seeking to represent an organization or company, the applicant's nomination to the Council must be accompanied by confirmation on the following two (2) issues:

 

1.     The nomination must be confirmed by an authorized person (e.g., organization or company official) that such organization or company supports the nominated person to represent it on the Council.  The nominating official must possess the executive authority or hold a sufficiently high-level position within the organization or company to select a representative whose actions will be legally binding on the organization or company. For example, this confirmation may be in the following format:

 

"I am [insert official's name], the [insert official's title] at the [insert name of organization - e.g., company, government entity, trade association, etc.], with responsibilities for [concise description of position]. My organization supports [insert proposed member's name], who is currently [an employee of/consultant/attorney to the company], to serve as our representative on the Commission's Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council."

2.     For applicants seeking to represent an entity that is, or who are themselves, a party to an FCC contract or subcontract or providing services for the benefit of the FCC under contract or subcontract, the nomination must include the following: 1) a general description of the contract/agreement; 2) a description of the product/services that the applicant provides pursuant to the contract/agreement; 3) a list of all parties to the contract/agreement; 4) the name of the Commission contracting officer (if known); and 5) a certification of the applicant that the applicant has provided written notice to the contracting officer and the FCC Manager, Contracts and Purchasing Center, that the applicant or representative nominee, as applicable, has applied for membership on the Commission's Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council.

Individual Applicants

 

            Applications from individual applicants who would serve as SGEs, as defined above, should include the following:

 

·       Name, title, and organization of the nominee and a description of the interest the nominee will represent;

·       Nominee's mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number;

·       A statement summarizing the nominee's qualifications and reasons why the nominee should be appointed to the Council; and

·       A statement that the individual applicant is not a registered federal lobbyist (as noted above, financial and other additional disclosures may also apply to individual applicants). 

 

Please note this Public Notice is not intended to be the exclusive method by which the Commission will solicit nominations to identify qualified candidates; however, all candidates for membership on the Council will be subject to the same evaluation criteria.

 

            All nominations, including the requisite statements listed above, should be submitted by e-mail to CSRIC@fcc.gov, and should be received by the Commission as soon as possible, but no later than Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

 

                                          ACCESSIBLE FORMATS

 

To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice), 202-418-0432 (TTY).

 

More information about the CSRIC can be found at https://www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/advisory-committees/communications-security-reliability-and-interoperability-council.  You may also contact Suzon Cameron, Designated Federal Official (DFO) for CSRIC VIII, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, at (202) 418-1916, or Kurian Jacob, Deputy DFO, at (202) 418-2040, or via the CSRIC e-mail account at CSRIC@fcc.gov.

 

-FCC-

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^[1]  5 U.S.C. App. 2.

Stealing Lightning from the Sky: Telegraph and Misinformation 1850s

 A story from Reid's Telegraph in America (p. 216)

Near the town of Russellville, a Baptist preacher, of Campbellite proclivities, and not without talent, held forth semi - occasionally to the denizens of the region between Russellville and Pikeville. The country was wretchedly poor. In 1854 there had been an unusually long drought. In one of his sermons, while depicting with fervid oratory the general cussedness of the race, he exclaimed: "See there, my friends, out along the road thar a set of men have dared to interfere with the Almighty's lightning, and what, my friends, is the consequence? They have robbed the atmosphere of its electricity, the rains are checked, and there has not been a good crop since the wires were put up, and what's more, I believe we never will have any until they are gone." Curiously enough, a great many intelligent people encouraged and not a few believed the preacher's philosophy. Immediately, a wild excitement spread. It was difficult, to be sure, to connect a thread of iron running through the air with the parched soil and the famished land. But the very mystery made the belief take root. The wire was the devil's turnpike, sure. And so down went the poles by the dozen, and away went the wire by the mile, dragged by an angry and excited mob through Russellville, in triumphant avengement of their wrongs. It was difficult to know what to do in such a case. Dr. Green once thought to try my powers over the people, but, as I had by this time settled at Philadelphia, he decided to go himself. His Superintendent, in 1854, was A. E. Trabue, a lively character and a genius. He is known to the craft as the author of "Short Cirkut." Picking him up at Nashville, on his way south, the first movement made was an aggressive one, and, although the telegraph protection law had been abrogated, about a dozen of the ringleaders were arrested and put in jail at Pikeville. But it did not do much good. The jail at Pikeville was a kind of chicken coup, which the imprisoned men easily lifted by the corner, upset, and escaped. Trabue now suggested a barbecue, hired a big room, bought a good - sized pig for a roast, a few turkeys and other jim - jams, which need not be mentioned, hired a couple of expert fiddlers and invited everybody to a dance. The whole population turned out, and it looked like a grand success. The mirth and fun "grew fast and furious. "Trabue, to be sure, was knocked through the back door, down the hill, by a buxom widow who had danced him blind, but the dance, even with this deduction, was a success.

 

So long, however, as the rain delayed to fall, the influence of the Baptist preacher's theology kept the hostility to the wires alive. The repairer of the region recommended war. His name was Nipe. He and Trabue concocted a scheme by which Nipe was suddenly to disappear, and his clothes were to be found, torn and bloody. On this evidence of murder, a number of arrests were to be made, and the prospect of a general hanging held out. So thoroughly in earnest was Trabue, that the project was referred to the executive at Louisville. But Nipe's murder was forbidden. It was on this trip that Dr. Green first met his future Superintendent, Van Horne, detecting, beneath his quiet exterior, the qualities which have since distinguished him as a man and officer, and led to his present elevated and responsible trust. The year following, Van Horne was Superintendent. He and Bart. Brady, my old and faithful foreman of repairs, changed the programme for the treatment of the mountaineers. George V. Rutherford, an ingenious, humorous and politic man, well - known in telegraphic circles, and who died August 28, 1876, at St. Helena, Cal., was stationed at Russellville. As soon as the circuit was found to be broken, it was quietly and quickly restored, when possible, at night, and utter silence maintained. Finally, by aid of one of those ubiquitous men, who are everywhere and know everything, Van Horne ascertained that a man of ability, and not unknown in the State Senate, had organized a kind of Ku - Klux band to keep the line down. His speech at the meeting, and the time of the proposed first raid were fully reported. Van Horne and Brady put up, near the proposed spot of the attack, provided with a quantity of small wire. At the appointed time, true to the information received, the circuit was gone, and some miles of the wire quickly removed. The leader of the movement cunningly remained at home. Allowing time for the departure of the raiders, the new wire was speedily and quietly strung. Shortly afterward, at a great sale, where a crowd of men had gathered, all, as was customary, carrying guns, Van Horne saw the leader there and had him publicly arrested. A State law, by this time, had been passed, making interference with the wires a criminal offense. At his examination, the leader was astonished at the evidence against him, and which Van Horne skillfully confirmed by his own men. This prompt and vigorous action, a politic treatment of other offenders, the coming of abundant rain and good crops, at last brought peace, the wires had rest, and were soon after removed to the railroad.

1999 :: July 12th :: The Last Morse Radio Station

The Ship-to-shore telegraph radio station, KFS, at Half Moon Bay, California, goes offline - disrupted by satellite technology.  KPH, which is currently a NPS museum, went offline June 30th, 1997.

Cybertelecom :: History Telegraph

Old School Rick Whitt

Old School Goes Online: Exploring Fiduciary Obligations of Care and Loyalty in the Platforms Era

36 Pages Posted: 1 Aug 2019

Richard S. Whitt

GLIA Foundation

Date Written: July 26, 2019

Abstract

The concept of information fiduciaries has received considerable attention in recent years, as one way to impose greater societal obligations on Web-based entities. This paper seeks to probe the information fiduciaries concept, as a useful entrée into a broader discussion of how to bring longstanding legal institutions into the online digital world.

This paper has five primary objectives. First, it will describe the information fiduciary (IF) model, as laid out by scholars Jack Balkin and Jonathan Zittrain, and criticized recently by Lina Khan and David Pozen. Second, it will undertake a deeper dive into the basics of the common law of fiduciary obligations, including the twin duties of care and of loyalty. Third, the paper will examine the information fiduciaries concept from the standpoint of traditional common law and modern-day commentary.

Fourth, the paper will explore a proposed alternative legal model, the "digital trustmediary" (or DTM), with entrusted entities voluntarily acting under a heightened fiduciary duty of loyalty to their clients. This DTM model will be posited as a viable response to the current Web ecosystem, which is presided over by online platforms extracting and analyzing end user data in the absence of express fiduciary obligations.

The paper concludes by suggesting ways to meld together the two different but complementary fiduciary approaches in the context of Web-based entities. Consistent with the author's prior written work on functional openness, the overarching intention is to breathe productive new life into old school legal doctrines.

Hedy Lamarr and the Torpedo, The History Guy, Youtube

https://youtu.be/nbZnrseHihI

The History Guy remembers how "the most beautiful woman in film," Hedy Lamarr, helped invent WiFi.

Policy Forum: Privacy in the World of Internet of Things

May 29, 2019

12:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.

SIMMONS AUDITORIUM, TEPPER QUAD

Please join AT&T and Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh for an in-depth discussion on one of the most challenging issues consumers and businesses face in a world of smartphones, wearables and other internet-connected devices—privacy.

The event will include welcome remarks from Tom Moore, Chief Privacy Officer, AT&T and a keynote presentation from Investigative Reporter and Ted Talks Award Winner, Kashmir Hill.

A privacy panel will follow and will be moderated by Courtney Linder, Business Technology Reporter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Panel participants include the following industry experts.

• Lorrie Cranor, Director and Bosch Distinguished Professor in Security and Privacy Technologies, CyLab, FORE Systems Professor of Computer Science and of Engineering & Public Policy, CMU
• Stacey Gray, Privacy Counsel, Future of Privacy Forum
• Jorge Guajardo Merchan, Principal Scientist & Manager Security and Privacy Research Group; Robert Bosch LLC - Research and Technology Center North America
• Jason Hong, Professor, School of Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction Institute, CyLab Researcher, CMU
• Omar Khawaja, Vice President & CISO, Pittsburgh, Highmark Health

Be sure to visit http://policyforum.att.com for any updates.

When:	Wednesday, May 29, 2019 1:00–2:30 p.m. EST Registration and lunch begin at 12:00 p.m. EST.
Where:	Carnegie Mellon University Tepper Quad Simmons Auditorium 4765 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213

 

The event will be live streamed, details will follow by email for registrants.

 

Photographs and video may be taken by AT&T at this event. By attending, you consent to AT&T's use of any photographs or video in external and internal AT&T communications concerning this event.

https://cylab.cmu.edu/events/2019/05/29-privacy-world-iot.html?fbclid=IwAR1eRcWns1lyaXmy60PdSiuFmX8QnZDux4YXU4qhVN9j6koLENHcRkJcfOc

Broadband Pilot Program-ReConnect Program

Fed Reg Notice

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced its general policy and application procedures for funding under the eConnectivity Pilot Program (ReConnect Program) in a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and solicitation of applications on December 14, 2018 in the Federal Register and amended the application window closing dates in a notice published on February 25, 2019 in the Federal Register. The Reconnect Program will provide loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas. This Notice announces the opening date for the ReConnect Program application windows.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/04/23/2019-08176/broadband-pilot-program-reconnect-program

FCC Renews Tech Advisory Committee, Fed Reg Notice

On April 16, 2019, the General Services Administration approved renewal of the charter of the Committee pursuant to provisions of the FACA. The Commission intends to renew the charter on or before May 17, 2019 and provide the Committee with authorization to operate for two years from the effective date.

Rapid advances in technology have resulted in innovations in how telecommunications services are provided to, and are accessed by, users of those services. Many of these advances are increasing the rate of convergence among categories of services that have traditionally been viewed as distinct, such as cable television services, telephony, data services, and internet services. Regulations must be examined in light of these technology advances, and the Commission must remain abreast of new developments in technology so that it can effectively fulfill its responsibilities under the Communications Act.....

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/05/03/2019-09052/federal-advisory-committee-act-technological-advisory-council

FTC Announces Agenda for the Tenth Session of its Hearings on Competition and Consumer Protection in the 21st Century

March 20 Hearing will examine competition and consumer protection issues in broadband marketsbook

FOR RELEASE

February 22, 2019

The Federal Trade Commission today announced the agenda for the tenth session of its Hearings Initiative. The session, focused on competition and consumer protection issues in broadband markets, will take place on March 20, 2019 at the Constitution Center Auditorium at 400 7th St., SW, Washington D.C. The hearing originally was scheduled for January 16, 2019, but was postponed due to the government shutdown.

The hearing will examine developments in U.S. broadband markets, technology, and law since the FTC staff's 2007Broadband Connectivity Competition Policy report and the FTC staff's 1996 Competition Policy in the New High-Tech, Global Marketplace report. Participants in the hearing will discuss: (i) the evolution of broadband networking and broadband markets since the 2007 Broadband Report; (ii) the identification and evaluation of advertising claims by internet service providers with respect to the delivery speed of content; and (iii) the identification and evaluation of conduct by broadband market participants that may be exclusionary or anticompetitive.

As previously announced, the Commission invites public comment on these issues, including the questions listed below. The comment-filing deadline has been extended: comments should be submitted online by 11:59 pm EDT, May 31, 2019.

1. The FTC's 2007 Broadband Report provided a technical background of broadband market issues relevant at that time. How should the Commission evaluate broadband technology issues now? Which technological developments are important for understanding the competitiveness of the industry? How would technological developments likely to occur in the near future impact the competitiveness of broadband markets, or otherwise affect consumer interests?
2. How should the Commission define relevant markets in this industry? How should the Commission identify and measure market power of content providers, content delivery networks, internet transit providers, internet service providers, and other relevant market actors?
3. How should the Commission identify and evaluate conduct in this industry that may be exclusionary or anticompetitive, including but not limited to discounting and preferential pricing, contracts and agreements between firms in vertical relationships, and conduct that may undermine or discriminate against rivals? Under what conditions does such conduct harm consumers? Under what conditions is conduct that may exclude or discriminate against rivals also associated with short-run or long-run efficiencies or consumer benefits?  
4. Do existing local, state, or federal regulations affect different market participants in ways that limit competition and innovation?
5. What are the existing standards, if any, regarding how actual internet speeds correspond to advertised internet speeds? Are such standards relevant to an FTC analysis under Section 5?
6. What tools, platforms, and research are used to measure the speed of broadband and related services? Are they adequate for the FTC's analysis of speed claims? If not, what additional resources are needed? Do competitors rely on data from these sources in challenging each other's speed claims? 
7. How can consumers or other stakeholders determine whether actual internet speeds match advertised speeds?
8. Do existing methods of advertising internet speed adequately inform consumers about their choices for broadband and telecommunications services?

Comment Period Extended for Draft SP 800-189

Comment Period Extended: Comments on Draft SP 800-189 are now due by March 15, 2019 (the original due date was Feb. 15). Below is the original announcement from December 17, 2018, but with the new due date:

***

NIST has released Draft NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-189, Secure Interdomain Traffic Exchange: Routing Robustness and DDoS Mitigation, which provides technical guidance and recommendations for deploying technologies that improve the security of interdomain traffic exchange. The document focuses on securing the interdomain routing control (i.e., Border Gateway Protocol) traffic as well as mitigating Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. It is intended to guide information security officers and managers of federal enterprise networks. The guidance also applies to the network services of hosting providers (e.g., cloud-based applications and service hosting) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) when they are used to support federal IT systems. The guidance will also be useful for enterprise and transit network operators and equipment vendors in general.

A public comment period for this document is open until March 15, 2019.

CSRC Update:
https://csrc.nist.gov/news/2018/nist-releases-draft-sp-800-189-for-comment

Publication Details:
https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/800-189/draft

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NIST Applied Cybersecurity Division
NIST Computer Security Division
webmaster-csrc@nist.gov (Attn: Draft SP 800-189 Team)
Notification Sent By: N. Keller, NIST Computer Security Division

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FCC Attorney Honors Program

https://www.fcc.gov/general-counsel/general/attorney-honors-program 

Application Deadline: 11:59 pm on October 31, 2018
This date reflects the 2-week extension granted by the FCC to accommodate all qualified candidates directly or indirectly affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael

The Federal Communications Commission's Attorney Honors Program is a two-year employment and training program designed to introduce selected candidates to the field of communications law and policy. Honors Attorneys quickly gain valuable experience and benefit from a wide variety of learning experiences. Attorneys at the FCC draft decisions in adjudicatory and rulemaking matters, work with internal and external constituencies to resolve complex policy issues before the agency, participate in international negotiations, represent the FCC in dealings with other government agencies, Congress and the private sector, and defend FCC decisions in the federal courts. Additionally, Honors Attorneys benefit from a specialized training and career-development curriculum designed specifically for the program.

All positions for the Attorney Honors Program are located at the FCC's headquarters in Washington, D.C. Specific placements within the agency will be based on the participant's interests and experience and the needs of the FCC. Honors Attorneys may have the opportunity to rotate to a new placement within the agency after their first year. At the end of the two-year program, Honors Program attorneys will be eligible for consideration for continued employment at the FCC.

Selection Criteria

Selection for the Honors Program is highly competitive, and the FCC reviews many facets of a candidate's background, including academic achievement, writing skills, law review and/or moot court experience, clinic or extracurricular activities, and demonstrated interest in government service and/or the communications sector.

Eligibility for Fall 2019

You are eligible to apply during the fall application window for the 2019 Attorney Honors Program if you are a:

• Current law student who will graduate in the spring or summer of 2019;
• Graduate law student who will complete your course of study by the summer of 2019;
• Federal, state, or municipal judicial clerk serving during the 2018-19 judicial term.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials in a single email to Honors.Program@fcc.gov:  a cover letter explaining your interest in and qualifications for the Honors Program, resume, writing sample (preferably not more than 15 pages), current official or unofficial law school transcript, and a list of three professional references (with both phone and email contact information).

• To expedite processing of your application, please save each of the required documents as a separate PDF file, with your last name as part of the file name.
•  The subject line of the transmittal email submitting your application should include: "AHP 2019 Application".
• All applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 31, 2018.  Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Selected applicants may be invited for interviews. While we prefer interviews to be held at the FCC's Headquarters in Washington, D.C., remote interviews are available if travel to Washington, D.C. is a hardship. We typically begin selecting candidates for interviews in October/November, and begin making offers before the end of the year. This tentative timeline is subject to change. Participants who enter the fall 2019 class will be expected to begin their employment with the agency by mid-September 2019.

More Information

• Questions? Consult the Honors Program FAQ sheet or Public Notice.
• Candidates may also direct questions about the Honors Program to Shannon Hyatt at Honors.Program@fcc.gov or (202) 418-1887.
• General information about employment opportunities at the FCC is available at www.fcc.gov/about-fcc/jobs-internships 

Sen. Commerce Committee Hearing :: Sept 26 :: Examining Consumer Privacy Protections

"WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, will convene a hearing titled “Examining Safeguards for Consumer Data Privacy,”at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 26, 2018. This hearing will examine privacy policies of top technology and communications firms, review the current state of consumer data privacy, and offer members the opportunity to discuss possible approaches to safeguarding privacy more effectively.

“Consumers deserve clear answers and standards on data privacy protection,” said Thune. “This hearing will provide leading technology companies and internet service providers an opportunity to explain their approaches to privacy, how they plan to address new requirements from the European Union and California, and what Congress can do to promote clear privacy expectations without hurting innovation.”
Witnesses:

• Mr. Len Cali, Senior Vice President—Global Public Policy, AT&T Inc.
• Mr. Andrew DeVore, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Amazon.com, Inc.
• Mr. Keith Enright, Chief Privacy Officer, Google LLC
• Mr. Damian Kieran, Global Data Protection Officer and Associate Legal Director, Twitter, Inc.
• Mr. Guy (Bud) Tribble, Vice President for Software Technology, Apple Inc.
• Ms. Rachel Welch, Senior Vice President, Policy & External Affairs, Charter Communications, Inc.

*Witness list subject to change.
Hearing Details:
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
10:00 a.m.
Full Committee
Dirksen Senate Office Building G50
Witness testimony, opening statements, and a live video of the hearing will be available on www.commerce.senate.gov.

NTIA Virginia Broadband Summit Oct. 30, 2018

"NTIA's BroadbandUSA Program, in partnership with the Center for Innovative Technology (CIT), will host the Virginia Broadband Summit in Roanoke, Virginia on October 30, 2018. The purpose of the Summit is to engage the public and stakeholders with information to accelerate broadband connectivity, improve digital inclusion, and support local priorities. The Summit will provide information on topics including local broadband planning, funding and engagement with service providers. Speakers and attendees from Virginia, federal agencies and across the country will come together to explore ways to facilitate the expansion of broadband capacity, access, and utilization.

The Broadband Summit will be held on October 30, 2018, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, in Roanoke, Virginia at the Roanoke South County Library, 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke, VA 24018.

"For further information contact Janice Wilkins, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4678, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-5791; email: broadbandusaevents@ntia.doc.gov. Please direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482-7002; email: press@ntia.doc.gov.

 Notice of Virginia Broadband Summit 10/30/2018

NIST Kicking off the Privacy Framework: Workshop #1 Austin TX Oct. 16th

"This is the first in a series of public workshops NIST is hosting on the development of the Privacy Framework: An Enterprise Risk Management Tool. In this half-day event, on October 16th, in Austin, Texas, attendees will hear from NIST representatives what to expect from the framework development process. They will learn from panels of experts how organizations are currently managing privacy risks, and where the challenges lie. The workshop also will be an opportunity to begin the discussion of how the NIST Privacy Framework can meet organizations' needs to better protect individuals' privacy. NIST plans to use the interactive discussions at this workshop as input to an annotated outline of the Privacy Framework. This event takes place just before IAPP's Privacy. Security. Risk. conference begins! Register early, as space is limited.

"Workshop Inputs: Prior to the workshop, NIST will post pre-read materials on the Privacy Framework website.

"Expected Workshop Outputs: Annotated outline of the Privacy Framework.

"If you're unable to attend, a recording of this event will be posted shortly after the event on the Privacy Framework website. Additionally, this will be one of several in-person opportunities to engage with NIST on the development of this framework – so stay tuned, as we'll be announcing future events.

We'd also encourage you to sign up for our Privacy Framework listserv for updates.

For more information on transportation, lodging and dining, please visit Austin, Texas Visitor Center or IAPP's conference website.

https://www.nist.gov/news-events/events/2018/10/kicking-privacy-framework-workshop-1

✏️ RFC NIST :: Draft Cybersecurity Practice Guide SP 1800-14, Protecting the Integrity of Internet Routing: Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Route Origin Validation, is Available for Comment

"It is difficult to overstate the importance of the internet to modern business and society in general. The internet is not a single network, but rather a complex grid of independent interconnected networks that relies on a protocol known as Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) to route traffic to its intended destination.

Unfortunately, BGP was not designed with security in mind and a route hijack attack can deny access to internet services, misdeliver traffic to malicious endpoints, and cause routing instability. A technique known as BPG route origin validation (ROV) is designed to protect against route hijacking.

"NIST’s National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE), together with several technology vendors, has developed proof-of-concept demonstrations of BGP ROV implementation designed to improve the security of the internet's routing infrastructure. 

"Comments for this draft are due by October 15, 2018. To review Draft Special Publication (SP) 1800-14, and for information on submitting comments, please visit the links below.

CSRC Update: https://csrc.nist.gov/news/2018/nist-requests-comments-on-draft-sp-1800-14  
Publication details: https://csrc.nist.gov/publications/detail/sp/1800-14/draft  
Project Homepage: https://www.nccoe.nist.gov/projects/building-blocks/secure-inter-domain-routing 

📽 1962 :: July 23 :: First Live Worldwide Television Broadcast via Telstar Satalite

RFC NTIA International Internet Policy Priorities - Due July 17

Docket Number: 

180124068–8068–01

In response to requests for additional time, the Department of Commerce is extending the closing deadline for submitting comments to a request for public comments entitled ''International Internet Policy Priorities'' published in the Federal Register on June 5, 2018. Through this notice, the Department extends the comment period to July 17, 2018. Comments are due on July 17, 2018, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). 

Written comments may be submitted by email to iipp2018@ntia.doc.gov. Comments submitted by email should be machine-readable and should not be copy-protected. Written comments also may be submitted by mail to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4725, Attn: Fiona Alexander, Washington, DC 20230.

For further information contact Fiona Alexander, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4706, Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482–1866; email falexander@ntia.doc.gov. Please direct media inquiries to NTIA's Office of Public Affairs, (202) 482–7002, or at press@ntia.doc.gov.

 Extension of Comment Period on International Internet Policy Priorities

Docket Number: 

180124068-8068-01

Recognizing the vital importance of the Internet and digital communications to U.S. innovation, prosperity, education, and civic and cultural life, NTIA has made it a top priority to encourage growth and innovation for the Internet and Internet-enabled economy. Towards that end, NTIA is seeking comments and recommendations from all interested stakeholders on its international Internet policy priorities for 2018 and beyond. These comments will help inform NTIA to identify priority issues and help NTIA effectively leverage its resources and expertise to address those issues.

Written comments may be submitted by email to iipp2018@ntia.doc.gov. Comments submitted by email should be machine-readable and should not be copy-protected. Written comments also may be submitted by mail to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4725, Attn: Fiona Alexander, Washington, DC 20230.

 Notice of Inquiry on International Internet Policy Priorities