Cyber Security

Cyber security protects networks by preventing, detecting and responding to risks and attacks. Cyber attacks on communications networks cause significant damage, including identity theft and denial of service attacks. Such attacks are difficult to trace, and may come from a variety of sources.

The increasing sophistication and maliciousness of cyber security threats creates unique challenges. Law enforcement and industry partners have collaborated to respond to and recover from such attacks.The federal government, state governments, and industry partners have developed tools and information to assist the public safety community and organizations in their cyber security efforts.

The FCC's role in cyber security is to strengthen the protection of critical communications infrastructure, to assist in maintaining the reliability of networks during disasters, to aid in swift recovery after, and to ensure that first responders have access to effective communications services.

Since cyber security can begin at the individual level, here are some general guidelines to follow. For more detailed information, please check the links below.

Cyber Security Tips

• Have up to date antivirus software.
• Only open emails from known sources.
• Avoid opening attachments, especially with these file extensions: .app, .cmd, .exe, .js, .mdb, .url, .vb, .vbe.
• Be selective in what is saved to the network drives.
• Be cautious with any downloads.

General Resources

• InfraGard
• OnGuard Security Tips

Federal Resources

• U.S. Computer Emergency Preparedness Team (US-CERT)
• CERT Tips
• CERT Denial of Service Tips
• Department of Justice Computer Crime & Intellectual Property Section
  
• DHS Cyber Security Research and Development Center
• DHS National Cyber Security Division
  
• DHS National Infrastructure Protection Plan
• DHS Remarks by Secretary Napolitano at the Global Cyber Security Conference
• FBI Cyber Investigations
• GAO: U.S. Unready to Face Growing Cyber Threats
• National Institute of Standards and Technology
• The White House Cyberspace Policy Review
  
• The White House Cyberspace Policy Review Documents
  

State and Local Resources

• California Office of Information Security
• Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center
  
• New York State Office of Cyber Security and Critical Infrastructure Coordination
  
• State of Texas Information Technology Security
  

Persons with Disabilities

• FCC Consumer Advisory: For Persons with Disability: Doing Business Using Internet Protocol Relay
  

Academic Resources

• Cyber Security and Emergency Preparedness Institute