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S 244119th CongressIntroduced

ROUTERS Act

Introduced: Jan 24, 2025
Defense & National SecurityTechnology & Innovation
View on Congress.gov
Standard Summary
Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The ROUTERS Act directs the Secretary of Commerce, working through the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, to conduct a focused study on national security risks and cybersecurity vulnerabilities associated with consumer routers, modems, and devices that combine a modem and router. The study specifically targets devices designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by entities owned, controlled by, or influenced by a “covered country.” The Secretary must report the study findings to Congress within one year. The act is titled to emphasize the aim of removing unsecure technologies to improve reliability and security. The bill does not prescribe specific regulatory actions in this step but sets up a government-led assessment that could inform future policy decisions about security standards, procurement, or restrictions related to equipment from certain countries.

Key Points

  • 1Purpose: Directs a study on national security and cybersecurity risks posed by consumer networking devices (routers, modems, and gateway devices) linked to entities associated with a covered country.
  • 2Scope of devices: Applies to devices designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by persons owned/controlled by or under the influence of a covered country.
  • 3Reporting requirement: The Secretary must deliver a report detailing the study results to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation no later than one year after enactment.
  • 4Definitions:
  • 5- Covered country: A country specified in 10 U.S.C. 4872(d)(2) and 4872(f)(2).
  • 6- Secretary: The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.
  • 7Short title: The act is named the Removing Our Unsecure Technologies to Ensure Reliability and Security Act (ROUTERS Act).
  • 8Status and process: Introduced in the Senate and reported with amendments; creates a formal study pathway but does not itself authorize funding or regulatory actions.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected:- Consumers and households using routers, modems, or gateway devices, especially those sourced from or involving entities tied to a covered country.Secondary group/area affected:- Device manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of consumer networking equipment.- Internet service providers and retailers who deploy or sell consumer networking gear.Additional impacts:- Government policy and national security posture regarding supply chain transparency and cyber risk in consumer hardware.- Potential informing of future rulemaking, procurement standards, or restrictions related to networking devices from covered countries.- Possible influence on industry cybersecurity practices and public procurement guidance without immediate regulatory changes.
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