Congress eyes bigger cyber role for NTIA amid telecom attacks | CyberScoop<\/title> <link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/ntia-cybersecurity-policy-commerce-department\/\"> <meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\"> <meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\"> <meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Congress eyes bigger cyber role for NTIA amid telecom attacks\"> <meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A pair of cyber-focused bills tied to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration advanced out of a House committee Tuesday.\"> <meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/ntia-cybersecurity-policy-commerce-department\/\"> <meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"CyberScoop\"> <meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-03-04T23:04:10+00:00\"> <meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-04T23:04:13+00:00\"> <meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks-2.jpg\"> <meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\"> <meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"683\"> <meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\"> <meta name=\"author\" content=\"mbracken\"> <meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\">  <link rel=\"dns-prefetch\" href=\"\/\/securepubads.g.doubleclick.net\">\n<link rel=\"dns-prefetch\" href=\"\/\/use.typekit.net\">\n<link rel=\"alternate\" type=\"application\/rss+xml\" title=\"CyberScoop \u00bb Feed\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/feed\/\">\n<link rel=\"alternate\" type=\"application\/rss+xml\" title=\"CyberScoop \u00bb Comments Feed\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/comments\/feed\/\"> <link rel=\"stylesheet\" id=\"all-css-2\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-includes\/css\/dist\/block-library\/style.min.css?m=1739294329g\" type=\"text\/css\" media=\"all\"> <link rel=\"stylesheet\" id=\"all-css-6\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-content\/mu-plugins\/search\/elasticpress\/dist\/css\/related-posts-block-styles.min.css?m=1741103813g\" type=\"text\/css\" media=\"all\"> <link rel=\"stylesheet\" id=\"all-css-8\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-content\/themes\/scoopnewsgroup\/dist\/css\/frontend.css?m=1740691656g\" type=\"text\/css\" media=\"all\">\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" id=\"typekit-css\" href=\"https:\/\/use.typekit.net\/itk2qbh.css?ver=a815169637cf454b7376\" media=\"all\"> <link rel=\"https:\/\/api.w.org\/\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-json\/\"><link rel=\"alternate\" title=\"JSON\" type=\"application\/json\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83735\"><link rel=\"EditURI\" type=\"application\/rsd+xml\" title=\"RSD\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/xmlrpc.php?rsd\">\n<meta name=\"generator\" content=\"WordPress 6.7.2\">\n<link rel=\"shortlink\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=83735\">\n<link rel=\"alternate\" title=\"oEmbed (JSON)\" type=\"application\/json+oembed\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-json\/oembed\/1.0\/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcyberscoop.com%2Fntia-cybersecurity-policy-commerce-department%2F\">\n<link rel=\"alternate\" title=\"oEmbed (XML)\" type=\"text\/xml+oembed\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-json\/oembed\/1.0\/embed?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcyberscoop.com%2Fntia-cybersecurity-policy-commerce-department%2F&format=xml\">   <link rel=\"icon\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/cropped-cs_favicon-2.png?w=32\" sizes=\"32x32\">\n<link rel=\"icon\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/cropped-cs_favicon-2.png?w=192\" sizes=\"192x192\">\n<link rel=\"apple-touch-icon\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/cropped-cs_favicon-2.png?w=180\">\n<meta name=\"msapplication-TileImage\" content=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2023\/01\/cropped-cs_favicon-2.png?w=270\"> <\/head><body class=\"post-template-default single single-post postid-83735 single-format-standard\" id=\"readabilityBody\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/ntia-cybersecurity-policy-commerce-department\/#main\" class=\"skip-to-content-link visually-hidden-focusable\">Skip to main content<\/a> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--top ad--top-desktop\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <main id=\"main\" role=\"main\" tabindex=\"-1\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--top ad--top-mobile\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section id=\"stickybar\" class=\"stickybar stickybar--event js-stickybar\">\n<div class=\"stickybar__details\" readability=\"5.12\">\n<div class=\"stickybar__info js-sticky-bar-content\" readability=\"32\">\n<p>Nominations can be submitted for the 2025 CyberScoop 50 awards!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <a class=\"stickybar__link button button-tertiary\" href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/cyberscoop50\/\">Click here!<\/a> <\/div>\n<p> <button class=\"stickybar__close js-stickybar-close\" aria-controls=\"stickybar\"> <svg class=\"icon icon--close\" width=\"21\" height=\"22\" viewBox=\"0 0 21 22\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"m.822.518-.805.805L9.695 11 .017 20.678l.805.805 9.678-9.678 9.677 9.678.806-.805L11.305 11l9.678-9.677-.806-.805-9.677 9.677L.822.518Z\" fill=\"currentColor\" \/><\/svg> <span class=\"visually-hidden\">Close<\/span> <\/button> <\/section>\n<article class=\"single-article content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__container js-single-article-content\">\n<header class=\"single-article__header \" readability=\"25.624770642202\">\n<div class=\"single-article__header-content\" readability=\"34.363636363636\">\n<p> A pair of cyber-focused bills tied to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration advanced out of a House committee Tuesday. <\/p>\n<p>  <br \/>\n<audio id=\"audio-player\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-tts-cdn.api.scpnewsgrp.com\/cyberscoop\/83735\/english.openai.mp3\"><\/audio> <\/p>\n<div readability=\"11\">\n<div>\n<p>Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p>0:00<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>  <\/p>\n<p> <span id=\"tts-tooltip\">Learn more.<\/span> <span> This feature uses an automated voice, which may result in occasional errors in pronunciation, tone, or sentiment. <\/span> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__cover-wrap\">\n<figure class=\"single-article__cover\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks.jpg?resize=640%2C427&ssl=1\" class=\"single-article__cover-image wp-post-image\" alt decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks-2.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks-2.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks-2.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks-2.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks-2.jpg?resize=252,168 252w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks-2.jpg?resize=505,337 505w, https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks-2.jpg?resize=1012,675 1012w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1012px) 100vw, 1012px\"><figcaption> The exterior of the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 11, 2022. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger for The Washington Post via Getty Images) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"single-article__content\">\n<div class=\"single-article__content-inner has-drop-cap\"> <html readability=\"39.989381067961\"><body readability=\"81.926347583643\"><\/p>\n<p>As <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/tag\/salt-typhoon\/\">Salt Typhoon<\/a> and other hacking groups continue <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/salt-typhoon-china-ongoing-telecom-attack-spree\/\">targeting U.S. telecoms<\/a>, a bipartisan bill that cleared a key House panel Tuesday aims to formalize a more cyber-focused role for the federal agency focused on those wireless networks.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.house.gov\/meetings\/IF\/IF00\/20250304\/117990\/BILLS-119HR1766ih-1.pdf\">National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act<\/a> would establish an Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity within the Commerce Department\u2019s NTIA under legislation from Reps. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., and Jennifer McClellan, D-Va. The bill, which <a href=\"https:\/\/energycommerce.house.gov\/events\/full-committee-markup-2\">advanced<\/a> out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, was passed by the chamber last year but stalled out in the Senate.<\/p>\n<p>The NTIA advises the president on telecommunications and information policy issues, with a specific focus on the expansion of broadband internet and spectrum. Obernolte, who chairs the House Science, Space and Technology subcommittee on research and technology, said the bill \u201caddresses a critical gap\u201d by formalizing NTIA\u2019s cybersecurity role to better \u201csafeguard our communication networks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity will work with stakeholders to develop and implement cybersecurity and privacy policies for the internet and communications networks,\u201d he said. \u201cIt will promote collaboration between industry and security researchers to address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. It will prevent and mitigate future software vulnerabilities that could compromise our telecommunications infrastructure, and it will provide technical assistance to small and rural communication service providers to ensure that they have the tools to defend against cyber security threats.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>McClellan connected the NTIA\u2019s mission directly to the <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/salt-typhoon-china-ongoing-telecom-attack-spree\/\">ongoing Salt Typhoon attacks<\/a>. The Chinese-linked hacking group has breached <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/salt-typhoon-china-ongoing-telecom-attack-spree\/\">multiple U.S. and global telecom networks<\/a>, drawing serious concern from federal cyber experts over what one expert said is the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/salt-typhoon-telecom-breach-remarkable-for-its-indiscriminate-targeting-fbi-official-says\/\">indiscriminate<\/a>\u201d targeting of Americans\u2019 data. <\/p>\n<p>McClellan said those \u201cnefarious assaults\u201d on U.S. networks are \u201ca stark reminder of the evolving cyber threats we face, which impact not only our communication systems, but in our ever-connected, data-driven Internet of Things dependent society, can affect everything from airplane safety to health care providers, as foreign adversaries and criminals continue to exploit vulnerabilities in our digital and telecommunications infrastructure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Equipping the NTIA with codified cyber tools is \u201cnow more important than ever,\u201d she added, so that the agency \u201cis fully empowered to assess risk, coordinate responses and proactively shape policies to protect American consumers and businesses.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Under a separate bill that also cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Tuesday, the NTIA would be required to submit a report to Congress that examines the cybersecurity of mobile service networks.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.house.gov\/meetings\/IF\/IF00\/20250304\/117990\/BILLS-119HR1709ih.pdf\">Understanding Cybersecurity of Mobile Networks Act<\/a> from Reps. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., and Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, would also charge the assistant secretary of commerce for communications and information with assessing the vulnerabilities of mobile networks and devices to cyberattacks and surveillance. <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--inline_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cThis legislation will provide us with the data necessary to identify these vulnerabilities and develop stronger protections against cyber threats, with adversaries like China, Russia and other malicious actors actively targeting our networks,\u201d Cammack said. \u201cWe cannot afford to be reactive and sit on the sidelines. Understanding the risks to our mobile infrastructure will allow us to stay ahead of emerging threats, protect American consumers and safeguard critical national security interests.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Landsman said this \u201csimple bill\u201d will \u201chave a huge impact\u201d on how the federal government deals with cyber threats from China, Russia and other nation-state actors as they target Americans\u2019 data and attempt to breach personal devices. The legislation will call on the NTIA to figure out how those adversaries are accessing that data and what can be done to stop attacks on devices.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOne of their goals is to use that data to divide us,\u201d Landsman said. \u201cThis is an important step for us to improve our cybersecurity and protect all Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><\/body> <\/p>\n<footer class=\"single-article__footer\" readability=\"3.8419405320814\">\n<div class=\"author-card\" readability=\"15\">\n<div class=\"author-card__avatar\">\n<figure class=\"author-card__image-wrap\"> <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"author-card__image\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ddi.mohflo.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks-1.jpg?w=640&ssl=1\" alt=\"Matt Bracken\"> <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><h4 class=\"author-card__name\">Written by Matt Bracken<\/h4>\n<p> Matt Bracken is the managing editor of FedScoop and CyberScoop, overseeing coverage of federal government technology policy and cybersecurity. Before joining Scoop News Group in 2023, Matt was a senior editor at Morning Consult, leading data-driven coverage of tech, finance, health and energy. He previously worked in various editorial roles at The Baltimore Sun and the Arizona Daily Star. You can reach him at matt.bracken@scoopnewsgroup.com. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__tags-container\">\n<h4 class=\"single-article__tags-title\">In This Story<\/h4>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p> <\/html><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"single-article__ads js-single-article-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-5 ad--rightrail_1 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-4 ad--rightrail_2 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ad ad--sidebar js-single-article-sidebar-3 ad--rightrail_3 \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/article>\n<section class=\"latest-podcasts\">\n<h2 class=\"latest-podcasts__title\"> Latest Podcasts\t<\/h2>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"top-categories\">\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Government<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"top-categories__container\">\n<h3 class=\"top-categories__category-title\">Technology<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/main> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ad ad--bottom \">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Advertisement<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"interstitial\" class=\"welcome__container\"> <button id=\"close-modal-1\" class=\"welcome__clickable_area\"><\/button> <\/p>\n<div class=\"welcome__ad_wrapper\">\n<p> <button id=\"close-modal-3\" class=\"welcome__continue-button\">Continue to CyberScoop<\/button> <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>   <\/body> <a href=\"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/ntia-cybersecurity-policy-commerce-department\/\">Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Congress eyes bigger cyber role for NTIA amid telecom attacks<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[623,117,3813,3814,3815,3816,3058,3059,439,2953],"tags":[628,119,3817,3818,3819,3820,3064,3065,443,2956],"class_list":["post-7413","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commerce-department","category-government","category-greg-landsman","category-jay-obernolte","category-jennifer-mcclellan","category-kat-cammack","category-national-telecommunications-and-information-administration","category-ntia","category-policy","category-salt-typhoon","tag-commerce-department","tag-government","tag-greg-landsman","tag-jay-obernolte","tag-jennifer-mcclellan","tag-kat-cammack","tag-national-telecommunications-and-information-administration","tag-ntia","tag-policy","tag-salt-typhoon"],"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","chromenews-featured":"","chromenews-large":"","chromenews-medium":""},"author_info":{"display_name":"Cyber Scoop","author_link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/author\/cyberscoop\/"},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/commerce-department\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Commerce Department<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/government\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Government<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/greg-landsman\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Greg Landsman<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/jay-obernolte\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jay Obernolte<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/jennifer-mcclellan\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Jennifer McClellan<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/kat-cammack\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Kat Cammack<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/national-telecommunications-and-information-administration\/\" rel=\"category tag\">National Telecommunications and Information Administration<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/ntia\/\" rel=\"category tag\">NTIA<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/policy\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Policy<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/category\/salt-typhoon\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Salt Typhoon<\/a>","tag_info":"Salt Typhoon","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7413","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7413"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7413\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7413"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7413"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}

{"id":7413,"date":"2025-03-04T17:04:10","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T23:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyberscoop.com\/?p=83735"},"modified":"2025-03-04T17:04:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T23:04:10","slug":"congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ddi.mohflo.net\/index.php\/2025\/03\/04\/congress-eyes-bigger-cyber-role-for-ntia-amid-telecom-attacks\/","title":{"rendered":"Congress eyes bigger cyber role for NTIA amid telecom attacks"},"content":{"rendered":"