The Department of Commerce has released a final rule that formalizes the operations of the Office of Information and Communications Technology and Services, or OICTS, in conducting investigations of foreign adversary threats to ICTS transactions that may impact U.S. national security.
The department said Thursday OICTS was formed within the Bureau of Industry and Security in March 2022 to advance the implementation of an executive order aimed at securing the ICTS supply chain.
“This final rule clarifies and strengthens BIS’s existing authorities to investigate, mitigate, and prohibit ICTS transactions involving our foreign adversaries. It significantly enhances our ability to protect the resilience of our national infrastructure and technology and communications sectors,” Alan Estevez, undersecretary of Commerce for industry and security.
“The further formalization of the OICTS is an important part of a pivotal year in the office’s growth as it continues to advance U.S. national security,” added Estevez, who also leads BIS.
Key OICTS Rulemakings & Investigations
In September, the office released a proposed rule that would ban the import or sale of connected vehicles integrating specific pieces of software or hardware linked to China or Russia.
In June, OICTS announced a final determination that prohibits Kaspersky Lab from selling its software within the U.S. or offering updates to software already in use.