The Department of Commerce has proposed a rule that outlines the procedures the secretary can use to evaluate transactions involving information and communications technology and services and determine whether such transactions pose national security risks to the ICT supply chain, digital economy and critical infrastructure.
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement published Tuesday the proposed rule seeks to protect the ICT supply chain and reflect the department’s commitment to safeguarding the digital economy.
The proposed policy was issued in accordance with an executive order on ICT supply chain security that was signed in May.
The secretary will use assessments developed by the director of national intelligence and secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to inform his review of transactions involving ICT and related services and issue notices to stakeholders in the event that a transaction should be mitigated or prohibited.
Stakeholders have 30 days to submit their feedback on the proposed rule.
