FCC proposes major security overhaul and software pivot for emergency alerts

This regulatory shift addresses critical technical debt in the national alert infrastructure, which remains vulnerable to hijacking by cybercriminals. For the streaming industry, the move toward software-defined alerting lowers the barrier for future integration with OTT platforms and 5G networks. Streamlining these protocols reduces the hardware burden on smaller operators while enabling advanced features like interactive maps and rich media. Industry leaders should track how the shift from hardware mandates to flexible technical standards impacts compliance costs and third-party vendor certifications. Success depends on balancing increased security with the speed of dissemination during urgent public safety events.

The FCC’s June 2024 (and subsequent 2026) proposals follow several years of targeted investigations into the resilience of the nation’s warning systems. Per FCC data from the 2023 nationwide test, approximately 23% of EAS equipment units were found to be using outdated software or hardware that no longer supported security updates (FCC, May 2024). This vulnerability has led to documented incidents of unauthorized transmissions, prompting the current push for 'baseline cybersecurity' requirements such as changing default passwords and adopting software-based management.

Related regulatory activity has also focused on reaching audiences on non-traditional platforms. In a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking issued in August 2025 (PS Docket No. 25-224), the Commission explicitly questioned whether the current reliance on broadcast and cable was sufficient as consumers migrate to streaming services and gaming consoles (Federal Register, August 2025). The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has advocated for the transition to software-defined EAS, arguing in 2025 filings that physical hardware is increasingly difficult to maintain as vendors leave the market (The Desk, June 2026). Simultaneously, the integration of 5G technologies has enabled more precise geotargeting, with the FCC seeking to move from Height Above Ellipsoid (HAE) to Height Above Ground Level (AGL) for vertical location accuracy in emergency scenarios (TLP Law, April 2025). These combined efforts reflect a strategic pivot from legacy one-to-many broadcast alerts to a more agile, multi-platform, and secure notification ecosystem.