FCC’s claim that it was hit by DDoS should be investigated, lawmakers say

Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Kheng ho Toh)

Two Democratic members of Congress today called for an independent investigation into the Federal Communications Commission's claim that it suffered DDoS attacks on May 8, when the net neutrality public comments system went offline.

"While the FCC and the FBI have responded to Congressional inquiries into these DDoS attacks, they have not released any records or documentation that would allow for confirmation that an attack occurred, that it was effectively dealt with, and that the FCC has begun to institute measures to thwart future attacks and ensure the security of its systems," the lawmakers wrote in a letter to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) today. "As a result, questions remain about the attack itself and more generally about the state of cybersecurity at the FCC—questions that warrant an independent review."

The letter requesting a GAO investigation was written by Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.).