FCC Convenes Meeting of International Partners from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom

Third Annual Convening of ‘Five Eyes’ Group Focuses on Emerging Trends in the Communications Sector Related to National Security and Cybersecurity

The Federal Communications Commission convened communications regulator counterparts from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom to address emerging trends in the communications sector related to national security, and cybersecurity. Commissioner Trusty also led the group’s session on harmonizing cyber labeling rules. With a collective resolve to deter shared security threats and safeguard the integrity of national communications networks, the participating countries each signed on to formal commitments in a joint statement to:

• Promoting Supply Chain Security
• Deepening Coordination
• Strengthening International Partnerships 
• Protecting Critical Communications Infrastructure
• Combating Scams and Fraud
• Addressing Super Intelligence’s Role in Communications Security

Chairman Brendan Carr issued the following statement:

“This week’s convening of our Five Eyes telecom partners demonstrates the FCC’s commitment to working with allies to address shared security threats against our people and our networks. From promoting supply chain security to combatting cyberattacks, this group’s work continues to be crucial to both the national security of the United States and the defense of the free world. I appreciate the efforts of all the attendees this week and welcome the commitments outlined for future collaboration.”

Commissioner Olivia Trusty issued the following statement:

“Threats to our communications networks and devices do not stop at national borders. FCC collaboration with our Five Eyes partners strengthens international coordination and advances our shared work to safeguard networks and to increase trust and security in the consumer marketplace through programs like the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark. I thank our partners for their continued commitment to building a safer, more resilient digital future.”

Additional Background Information:

Cyber actors, including state-sponsored actors like SALT TYPHOON and sophisticated criminal groups, continue to seek opportunities to exploit communications infrastructure, compromise sensitive systems, disrupt essential services, and misuse telecommunications networks. This partnership reflects the continued collective resolve to deter these threats, and exchange and promote best practices to safeguard the integrity of our communications infrastructure. The threats facing the communications sector are vast and constantly changing, which means collaboration is imperative to ensure countries can protect their respective citizens and critical infrastructure. We also added a new session this year, welcoming other partner countries to our international collaboration session to broaden our efforts to lead on telecom security.

The increasing interconnection of our communications ecosystems means that vulnerabilities and incidents in one jurisdiction can have consequences across borders. Among the topics discussed today were promoting secured networks that are resilient, competitive, and trusted to guard against hostile foreign actors; strengthening international partnerships with like-minded countries; combating scams and fraud; the role of super intelligence and communications security, and more.