[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 165 (Friday, August 25, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 50390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14121]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration


Notice: Continuity of Business (via satellite) Summit

AGENCY:  National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION:  Notice of Public Meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY:  NTIA will co-sponsor a conference entitled ``Continuity of 
Business (via satellite) Summit: Acquiring Robust Communications 
Capability to Prepare for Natural and Man-Made Disasters'' with the 
Satellite Industry Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The 
agenda will focus on the importance of satellite communications for the 
continuity of business which may be interrupted during a natural 
disaster, cyber attack, or other terrorist action.

DATES:  The Continuity of Business (via satellite) Summit will take 
place Thursday, September 21, 2006, 9:00 AM to noon.

ADDRESSES:  The public meeting will be held at the U.S. Chamber of 
Commerce, 1615 H Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20062-2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Persons interested in attending the 
Continuity of Business (via Satellite) Summit should contact Helen 
Shaw, Critical Infrastructure Protection Program, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 7846, Washington, 
DC, 20230; by facsimile transmission to (202) 482-1189; or by 
electronic mail to [email protected]. Information for the Summit is 
also available through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce at 
www.uschamber.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background. Recent world events, such as the 
massive hurricanes in the Southern United States, and terrorist 
actions, such as the bombing of the World Trade Centers, and the 
potentiality of such events occurring in the future, such as cyber 
attacks, have demonstrated the need for additional communications 
channels to prevent communications outages among our nation's 
businesses and industry. Each of these events, both natural and man-
caused, has the potential to interrupt communications costing 
businesses millions of dollars in lost sales and productivity. For 
these reasons, a national level discussion addressing additional 
communications channels is both timely and essential to our nation's 
economic security and viability.
    The Department of Commerce has the lead responsibility for the 
``economic security'' component of critical infrastructure protection, 
and coordinates these efforts with the Department of Homeland Security 
(DHS), Department of the Treasury and the Federal Trade Commission 
(FTC). Acting on behalf of the Department of Commerce, NTIA addresses 
continuity-of-business/disaster recovery efforts of companies that 
complement critical infrastructure companies, which are vital to the 
economy and orderly functioning of society. The focus on continuity of 
business and disaster recovery communications is based on the premise 
that wireline, wireless and Internet (including Virtual Private Network 
(VPN)) capabilities might fail or become saturated as a result of a 
physical or cyber attack. In such emergency situations, it will be 
necessary to make use of additional communications capability (e.g., 
satellite links or HF point-to-point and broadcast transmissions).
    The Summit will provide a forum primarily for industry 
representatives to discuss issues related to continuity of business and 
disaster recovery - such as estimates of current/projected ``take-up'' 
costs and the ``business case'' for investing in additional 
communications, incentives, identification of leaders (e.g., companies 
and associations), and approaches to education and awareness. The 
government's role will support education and awareness rather than fund 
this private sector-led effort.
    Public Participation: The meeting will be open to the public and 
press on a first-come, first- served basis. Space is limited. The 
public meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Individuals requiring special services, such as sign language 
interpretation or other ancillary aids are asked to indicate this to 
Ms. Shaw at least five (5) days prior to the meeting. The Summit will 
be webcast. Webcast information and the meeting agenda and a list of 
speakers will be posted on NTIA's website, www.ntia.doc.gov, the U.S. 
Chamber of Commerce's website, www.uschamber.com, and the Satellite 
Industry Association's website, www.sia.org, one week prior to the 
meeting.

    Dated: August 22, 2006.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-14121 Filed 8-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-S