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TIA Says Cyber Executive Order Provides Needed Flexibility; Cautions Against Increasing Restrictions as Framework is Implemented

Arlington, VA (February 12, 2014) – The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), the leading association representing the manufacturers and suppliers of high-tech communications networks, said today that the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) release of the Cybersecurity Framework represents an important milestone in implementing the President’s 2013 executive order.  The Association worked with NIST to include critical TIA-developed standards in the Framework and has sought a flexible regulatory landscape that allows companies to effectively adapt to emerging threats.

TIA president Grant Seiffert issued the following statement:

“TIA has continually emphasized the importance of developing a voluntary and flexible Framework that provides the private sector with tools to address cybersecurity concerns across critical infrastructure.  We have also urged NIST and other government agencies to rely on market incentives, existing industry-led, open, and consensus-based standards, and the already-successful public-private partnership model.  This voluntary approach will allow the owners and operators of critical infrastructure to improve their cyber resiliency, while ensuring flexibility to adapt to emerging threats.

“Even with today’s release, the full story of the Framework has not yet been written.  As various agencies work to adapt and implement the Framework, policymakers must ensure that the Framework’s flexibility and benchmarks are not inadvertently transformed into a restrictive regulatory regime.  If that were to happen, it would undermine the core goals of the Framework and impair the ability of ICT manufacturers and owners and operators of critical infrastructure to respond to rapidly-emerging threats.  With many other countries also looking to the United States for leadership, TIA has also worked with NIST to ensure that the Framework is not perceived by these governments as an endorsement of inflexible mandates. 

“TIA has appreciated the opportunity to work with NIST over the last year and to include our standards in the Framework, and we applaud its director, Patrick Gallagher, for his commitment to ensuring that the private sector is better-equipped to defend against cyber threats.  We are committed to working with NIST, other federal agencies, service providers, and the owners and operators of critical infrastructure to continually improve the nation’s response to cyber threats.  Meanwhile, TIA continues to work with Congress to provide liability protections for the private sector that will allow for good faith efforts to address rapidly-evolving threats, and that would facilitate information sharing among private sector members and the government.”

About TIA

The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org for more details.

TIA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and is a proud sponsor of ANSI’s Standards Boost Business campaign. Visit www.standardsboostbusiness.org for details.

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