FCC Urges Broadcasters to Practice Cybersecurity Vigilance

The FCC has issued a Public Notice strongly urging broadcasters to implement cybersecurity best practices to prevent malware from harming station operations.

The move comes about three months after a similar FCC plea to take action to prevent security hacks such as a Houston FM station’s studio-transmitter link (STL) that was compromised last November. 

The latest FCC warning focuses on the increasing threat of ransomware on station operations.

“The time and services that entities lose responding to a ransomware attack—as well as the ransom itself, if paid—can be both costly and disruptive,” said the FCC.

The FCC’s notice describes the numerous ways that ransomware can be surreptitiously introduced into a broadcast station’s operations.

The PN offers eight best practices for preventing and mitigating ransomware attacks, as well as other resources and advice on how to implement them.

Just as important, stations should know how to respond quickly and effectively to a ransomware attack should one happen, including reporting the incident to the FCC and other law enforcement as appropriate.

Questions? Contact TAB’s Michael Schneider or call (512) 322-9944.