SE Texas Times

U.S. Representatives Randy Weber and August Pfluger have introduced the Securing Every Vector, Enhancing Networks (SEVEN) Act in Washington, D.C. The bill aims to strengthen defenses against cyber threats targeting the Signaling System 7 (SS7) telecommunications protocol by coordinating government efforts and forming a task force of cybersecurity experts.

Rep. Weber stated, "For far too long, foreign adversaries have exploited critical weaknesses in the SS7 telecommunication protocol to track, spy on, and steal from Americans. This cannot stand. The SEVEN Act delivers a decisive path forward to shut these vulnerabilities down and ensure our communications systems are secure—all without disrupting our networks. This is about protecting our citizens and safeguarding our national security, and we must act now."

Rep. Pfluger added, "Our adversaries around the globe are exploiting vulnerabilities in the digital backbone of our telecommunications infrastructure to spy on everyday Americans. The SEVEN Act will ensure the safety of U.S. networks by establishing a dedicated task force to address this issue head-on. We must act swiftly to protect our national security."

The SS7 protocol is integral for call routing, billing, and messaging within modern communication systems but contains significant vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit with an SS7-specific license known as a "Global Title." These vulnerabilities allow interception of calls, reading messages, and tracking locations.

In June, Reps. Weber and Pfluger addressed a letter to the Federal Communications Commission and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This action was spurred by claims from a CISA employee regarding unauthorized attempts to access user location data through SS7-related protocols in the U.S.

The SEVEN Act seeks to protect American communications and enhance national security by addressing these vulnerabilities.