Ready and Rapid Cybersecurity Information Sharing Needed Says US Wireless Industry White Paper

From protecting communication networks to eliminating malware and spyware, Congress needs to allow collaboration to help contain and combat against growing cyberthreats

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CTIA-The Wireless Association

Sep 09, 2014, 01:30 ET

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On day two of Super Mobility Week, CTIA-The Wireless Association®'s Cybersecurity Working Group (CSWG) today released its fifth white paper, "Today's Mobile Cybersecurity: Information Sharing" (PDF) that urges Congress to allow for private-to-private sector and private-to-government sector ready and rapid information exchange on cybersecurity threats and countermeasures.

With one of the lowest malware infection rates in the world, America's wireless industry is constantly working to protect users and networks against the evolving threat landscape. Experts from both the private and public sectors agree that the current practices stifle the information exchange on threats, which limits the wireless industry's ability to protect its users.

To best address the needs of organizations to share pertinent information, protect the privacy and proprietary information of users as well as provide proper liability protection for all, the white paper outlines a virtual setting where experts could discuss the state of cyberthreats and countermeasures as well as standards and defenses.

"The U.S. wireless companies are doing everything they can individually to protect their users, but constant attacks by cybercriminals makes it increasingly difficult, which is why working together along with government means a better and faster response to protect our networks and Americans' personal information. Integral in protecting consumers and our wireless networks is keeping the open Internet mobile rules flexible so that engineers may quickly respond with countermeasures that could involve changing network management protocols and methods. If this ability to stop those cyberthieves becomes hindered due to burdensome regulation, America's very low mobile infection rate is in danger," said Meredith Attwell Baker, CTIA President and CEO.

Formed in June 2012, CTIA's CSWG is comprised of senior representatives from 36 companies throughout the wireless ecosystem. The fourth white paper, "Mobile Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things: Empowering M2M Communication" is available at: http://ctia.it/1qzVtRT (PDF). The third white paper, "Today's Mobile Cybersecurity: Industry Megatrends and Consumers," is available at: http://ctia.it/15Pw1QE (PDF). The second white paper, "Today's Mobile Cybersecurity: Blueprint for the Future," is available at: http://ctia.it/12Hc4Jm (PDF). The first white paper, "Today's Mobile Cybersecurity: Protected, Secured and Unified" is available at: http://ctia.it/VBm9lY (PDF).

For more information and consumer tips on cybersecurity, please visit: http://ctia.it/ST7xir

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

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