FCC Security Chief On Tap For TVN Webinar

David Simpson, chief of the FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, will be among the experts briefing broadcasters on how to protect themselves from cyber attacks at TVNewsCheck‘s July 22 webinar: Cybersecurity for Broadcasters: Ten Steps You Need to Take Right Now at 2-3:30 p.m. ET.

Simpson, a retired rear admiral, oversees public safety, homeland security, emergency management, cyber security and disaster preparedness activities at the FCC.

He works with public and private partners and through the rulemaking process to deliver state-of-the-art communications that are accessible, reliable, resilient and secure, and to help ensure that communications networks meet the public safety needs of Americans during emergencies.

He brings to this role more than 20 years of information and communications technology experience supporting the Department of Defense, working closely with other agencies to provide secure communication services and improve cyber defense readiness.

With cyber hacks and attacks reaching epidemic levels across all sectors of society, TV broadcasters have discovered they are not immune.

They face unique challenges in protecting their assets, with intrusions at both local and network levels escalating in recent years from pranks to malicious disruptions.

Moderated by communications, technology and cybersecurity analyst Cynthia Brumfield, the TVN webinar will provide insight into:

• The growing number and type of cybersecurity threats facing broadcasters.

• Solutions for minimizing threats and recovering from hacks, hijacks and intrusions.

• Plain English explanations of cybersecurity guidance developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the FCC’s Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council.

• The evolving government agency landscape and the increased concern by federal and state governments in ensuring good cybersecurity practices.

• The top 10 steps broadcasters can take to protect digital and IP-connected infrastructure.

According to Brumfield, “Broadcasters are not immune to damaging cyber threats. Recent incidents highlight that broadcast stations and networks are subject to breaches and intrusions that can damage reputation, interfere with operations and threaten the bottom line. The webinar will offer you concrete steps to help protect your digital assets and networks and recover more quickly when you’ve been hacked.”

In addition to Simpson, speakers on the webinar so far include:

• Kelly Williams, NAB’s engineering and technology policy senior director

• Ed Czarmecki, Monroe Electronics’ strategy and global government affairs senior director

Even when cybersecurity vulnerabilities don’t threaten broadcasters’ on-air and online operations, the costs to repair cyber breaches can wreak havoc on station and network finances, with the average cost of a single breach reaching $3.8 million this year, according to data security research organization the Ponemon Institute. And, weaknesses in the broadcast Emergency Alert System pose significant threats to public safety if broadcasters don’t address them quickly and adequately.

Learn what you can do now to protect, maintain and resume operations even in the face of ever-growing cyber threats.

Webinar registration is $299 and can be done online here.