Dr. Amit Elazari (J.S.D) is Co-Founder and CEO of OpenPolicy, the world’s first policy engagement technology platform, unlocking markets by democratizing and simplifying access to policy-based market intelligence and engagement.
Introduction
The recent decision by the Federal Communications Commission to roll back cybersecurity rules for telecom companies, will reshape the regulatory landscape for U.S. telecom carriers. As of January 2025, telecom companies were required to complete annual attestations and structured risk-management plans. Now, telecom companies will face a future where cybersecurity measures are largely voluntary. Although this rollback is intended to reduce bureaucratic burdens and allow for voluntary industry improvements, it also risks leaving critical networks more vulnerable,especially when confronted with sophisticated, nation-state threat actors like Salt Typhoon and the emerging Silk Typhoon.
In today’s dynamic threat environment, the return to a voluntary risk management model means telecom operators must take an even more active role in safeguarding network integrity. Threat actors have repeatedly shown they can find and exploit even small weaknesses, making it critical for carriers to stay protected regardless of how the rules change..This is where Eclypsium steps in. With our Supply Chain Security Platform for IT Infrastructure, Eclypsium offers continuous firmware scanning, integrity verification, and rapid incident detection and response automation—all vital to filling the compliance gap left by regulatory retrenchment.
In the ensuing discussion, we provide a concise overview of the policy shift, explore its implications for telecom operations and national security, and illustrate how Eclypsium’s solutions not only mitigate these emerging risks but also empower carriers to turn proactive security into a competitive advantage. This blog discusses why the new voluntary cybersecurity environment demands a renewed commitment to innovation and resilience.
Context and Background
Historically, U.S. telecom carriers operated under cybersecurity mandates introduced during a high-threat period. In response to major breaches such as the attack by Salt Typhoon, the FCC under the previous administration required operators to implement robust risk-management plans and annually certify their adherence to these protocols. These mandates aimed to reinforce uniform security standards and regulatory oversight to prevent further .
However, in a narrow 2-1 vote, the FCC rescinded these mandated requirements. Proponents of the rollback argue that telecom companies have already made significant voluntary progress, and the rules were administratively cumbersome. Critics, however, warn that without enforceable standards, the industry faces a precarious situation where essential protections could become inconsistent or inadequate, especially when new, dynamic threats from state-sponsored actors—exemplified by both Salt Typhoon and Silk Typhoon—arise.
As part of a broader federal shift toward deregulation, the return to a more voluntary cybersecurity regime marks a pivotal change for the telecom sector. Telecom operators must now navigate a landscape where the absence of binding rules increases operational ambiguity and the onus of security falls on them
Moreover, the rollback raises broader national security concerns. Telecom networks not only support everyday communications; they underpin critical infrastructure used by government agencies, defense organizations, and essential public services. Without uniform cybersecurity controls, vulnerabilities could be exploited on a scale that has far-reaching implications for economic stability and public safety.
Key Policy Implications
The evolving shift from a compulsory to voluntary cybersecurity regime brings several critical implications:
1. Shift from Mandated to Voluntary Compliance
- Policy Change: Carriers are no longer legally required to submit annual attestations of risk management practices.
- Implication: In the absence of enforceable mandates, telecom companies must self-regulate, which can lead to uneven security postures across the sector and intensify risks from advanced cyber threats.
2. Accountability and Oversight Challenges
- Regulatory Gap: With mandatory oversight lifted, there is no central mechanism to verify whether carriers are implementing effective security protocols.
- Operational Risk: This gap can yield inconsistencies in risk management practices, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful cyber intrusions without a uniform standard for remediation.
3. National Security and Market Confidence
- Security Concerns: Critics of the rollback caution that reduced accountability may endanger the nation’s critical communications infrastructure.
- Market Impact: A perceived decline in security standards can affect customer confidence, particularly among government agencies and enterprises where robust cybersecurity is non-negotiable.
4. Industry Response and Best Practices
- Voluntary Advancements: Some in the industry argue that market-driven, voluntary improvements could yield innovative solutions tailored to emerging threats.
- Need for Innovation: Nonetheless, without a level playing field enforced by regulations, carriers must look to advanced technologies to maintain a resilient security posture.
Industry Impact Analysis
The regulatory rollback has immediate and long-term ramifications for telecom operators:
1. Increased Operational Vulnerabilities
Telecom networks serve as the backbone of modern communications and are integral to national infrastructure. In a voluntary framework:
- Variability in Security: Some carriers may invest robustly in advanced protection measures, while others might underinvest, leaving critical systems susceptible to breaches.
- Attack Surface Expansion: Threat actors are increasingly adept, and even a slight lapse in security can be exploited to compromise large networks—especially given the persistent threat of groups like Salt Typhoon and Silk Typhoon.
2. Strategic and Reputational Risks
- Market Differentiation: Companies that demonstrate a proactive and robust cybersecurity stance can leverage this as a market differentiator. Conversely, those that fail to address weaknesses risk reputational damage.
- Customer Trust: Particularly for telecom operations that serve government and defense sectors, visible commitment to advanced security is essential for maintaining and growing business opportunities.
3. Competitive Landscape and Regulatory Readiness
- Adapting to Change: In the absence of a regulatory mandate, proactive carriers who adopt industry best practices, such as aligning with NIST Cybersecurity Framework guidelines, will likely emerge as leaders in a more competitive market.
- Cost Versus Benefit: While transitioning to advanced security solutions may involve significant upfront costs, the long-term savings—reduced incident response times and mitigated breach damages—can decisively outweigh these investments.
Solution Alignment: Eclypsium’s Proactive Measures
In this environment of regulatory uncertainty and escalating threats, Eclypsium’s platform provides telecom operators with the advanced tools needed to maintain a robust security posture for their IT infrastructure. Here’s how our solution aligns with emerging needs:
1. Continuous Firmware Scanning and Integrity Verification
- Technology Overview: Eclypsium’s platform continuously scans firmware across all endpoints and network devices. Through cryptographic validations and automated binary analysis, our solution ensures that every firmware component remains uncompromised.
- Technical Advantage: Unlike traditional endpoint security tools, our platform dives deep into the firmware and supply chain layer—an area frequently overlooked—thus addressing vulnerabilities that could be exploited even in the absence of regulatory mandates.
2. Automated Threat Detection and SIEM/SOAR Integration
- Rapid Detection and Response: Our platform leverages a proprietary engine—capable of both static and dynamic analysis—to detect anomalous firmware behavior and check integrity. Integration with SIEM/SOAR systems means that once an anomaly is detected, alerts are immediately routed to security operations centers for swift remediation.
- Operational Efficiency: This automation mitigates the risk inherent in a voluntary compliance regime by providing an always-on safeguard that compensates for relaxed regulatory oversight.
3. Adaptability and Future-Proofing
- Scalability: Eclypsium’s solution is designed to scale seamlessly with network growth, ensuring that even as telecom carriers expand their digital infrastructures, security levels remain consistently high.
- Innovative Edge: By continuously updating our machine learning models and threat detection algorithms, we ensure that our platform adapts to emerging threats like Silk Typhoon before they become mainstream concerns.
Actionable Takeaways and Next Steps
For telecom companies navigating this new landscape, the steps below can help shape a strong, forward-looking security strategy:
1. Conduct a Comprehensive Security Audit
- Evaluate current firmware integrity across all endpoints and network devices.
- Identify areas where voluntary measures fall short of industry best practices.
2. Implement Continuous Monitoring Solutions
- Deploy technology, such as Eclypsium’s platform, which provides constant scanning and threat detection.
- Integrate with existing SIEM/SOAR systems to ensure rapid incident response.
3. Align with Industry Frameworks
- Even under voluntary compliance, adhere to established standards like the CISA Binding Operational Directive 23-02 and NIST 800-53.
- Publicly attest to these standards as a means of maintaining market trust and competitive differentiation.
4. Enhance Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
- Participate in industry coalitions and public-private partnerships to share threat intelligence.
- Raise internal awareness and provide training to ensure that all teams understand the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures.
5. Leverage Audit Trails and Automated Reporting
- Use comprehensive, cryptographically verifiable reports to reinforce transparency during compliance assessments.
- Demonstrate a continuous commitment to security improvement by sharing these metrics with key stakeholders.
Conclusion
The rollback of cybersecurity rules by the FCCmarks both a challenge and an opportunity for telecom carriers. With the shift to a voluntary compliance regime, it is no longer sufficient to rely on minimum regulatory standards. Instead, telecom operators must pivot toward innovative, technology-driven solutions that can preemptively identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.
Eclypsium’s Supply Chain Security Platform addresses this need by offering continuous firmware scanning, threat detection, and automated incident response. These capabilities ensure that even in a landscape devoid of binding mandates, telecom operators can maintain robust security defenses against sophisticated threats such as Salt Typhoon and Silk Typhoon.
By embracing a proactive cybersecurity strategy today, operators not only safeguard critical infrastructure and national security but also position themselves as market leaders in an increasingly competitive and security-conscious environment. It is imperative that telecom companies capitalize on these advanced solutions to turn the challenges of regulatory rollback into opportunities for strategic differentiation and long-term resilience.
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