Bill > HR1709

This bill directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within one year, examining the cybersecurity of mobile service networks. The report must assess how mobile service providers have addressed cybersecurity vulnerabilities identified by researchers, standards organizations, and federal agencies, and explore the degree to which customers consider cybersecurity when purchasing mobile services. The report will investigate the prevalence and effectiveness of encryption and authentication techniques, discuss barriers to adopting more secure technologies, and estimate the usage of mobile surveillance technologies like cell site simulators. The Assistant Secretary is required to consult with numerous stakeholders, including federal agencies, academic researchers, mobile service providers, and international experts. The bill specifically excludes 5G protocols from the assessment and mandates that the report be produced in an unclassified format, with the option of a classified annex. The report will focus on vulnerabilities that have been exploited in real-world settings and consider mitigations already implemented by device manufacturers. Importantly, the bill defines key terms like "adversary" and "mobile service" to provide clear parameters for the investigation, with the ultimate goal of understanding and improving the cybersecurity of mobile networks in the United States.

Business and Industry, Transportation and Infrastructure

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1709/all-info