This new task force, created by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and led by FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal, is made up of FCC staff from across the agency, including in the areas of data breach reporting, enforcement, equipment authorization, and undersea cables.
“This FCC staff working group will coordinate across the agency on the rulemaking, enforcement, and public awareness needs in the privacy and data protection sectors,” the FCC stated. Priorities include “data breaches – such as those involving telecommunications providers and related to cyber intrusions – and supply chain vulnerabilities involving third-party vendors that service regulated communications providers.” The Privacy and Data Protection Task Force will streamline the FCC’s efforts in monitoring and enforcing compliance with relevant FCC rules on data privacy.
“We live in an era of always-on connectivity. Connection is no longer just convenient,” Rosenworcel said in a statement. “It fuels every aspect of modern civic and commercial life. To address the security challenges of this reality head-on, we must protect consumers’ information, ensure data security, and require cyber vigilance from every participant in our communications networks. This team of FCC experts will lead our efforts to protect consumer privacy.” 
Jaclyn Jaeger is a contributing editor at Compliance Chief 360° and a freelance business writer based in Manchester, New Hampshire.