FCC Takes Steps to Modernize the Nation’s Alerting Systems
Action Aims to Preserve the Public’s Trust in Alerting, Update Rules for EAS and WEA 
   
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2026—The Federal Communications Commission today adopted rules to modernize the Emergency Alerting System (EAS) and preserve the public’s trust in EAS by requiring targeted cybersecurity improvements that will protect against hijacking by cybercriminals and our nation’s adversaries.  In addition, the Commission will move forward with a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that seeks comment on additional ways to modernize EAS and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), from bolstering reliability to improving geographic accuracy.  This first-principles approach will identify ways to ensure that alerts and alerting systems remain as effective and efficient as possible.

Central to our effort to modernize EAS is ensuring its security.  Today’s action adopts three specific measures to help protect against hijacking by cybercriminals and our nation’s adversaries.  Specifically, the FCC will require EAS Participants to use strong passwords, promptly test and install security patches issued by equipment manufacturers, and use a network firewall or comparable practice to better limit access to their equipment.

In addition, today’s Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes multiple targeted improvements that can make EAS and WEA more accurate, resilient, flexible, and useful.  These proposals would improve EAS’s integrity by requiring the authentication of all alerts before they are transmitted and promote the reliability of emergency alerts by establishing a universal alert identification number to help block duplicate alerts.  The Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking also explores improving geographic accuracy by eliminating outdated WEA geotargeting exceptions that often cause alerts to be received in the wrong locations and increasing alert effectiveness by requiring EAS and WEA to display symbols that match the type of emergency.  

The FCC also proposes to remove outdated requirements by allowing the implementation of EAS capabilities via software instead of hardware and retiring the 90-character maximum versions of WEA messages. 

Action by the Commission June 25, 2026 by Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 26-38).  Chairman Carr, Commissioners Gomez and Trusty approving.  Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty issuing separate statements.

PS Docket Nos. 25-224, 22-329, 15-91, 15-94

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