03/26/2026
Big news in the cybersecurity world this week — and it affects every business with a router. That's everyone.
The FCC just added all foreign-made consumer routers to its national security "Covered List." That means no new foreign-produced router models can be approved for sale in the U.S. going forward.
Let me break that down.
Your current router is fine. Nothing is getting ripped out. But new routers going forward? The supply just got a lot more complicated.
Most routers — even ones sold by American brands — are built overseas. So this isn't just a China problem. It's a supply chain reality check for the entire industry.
Why does this matter to your business? New router models will be slower to market. Prices will go up as manufacturers navigate compliance. And "where was this built?" is now a procurement question ...not just a tech spec.
The good news is that this forces an overdue conversation about edge security. Routers have been exploited in some of the biggest cyber attacks of the last two years. Knowing where your hardware comes from isn't bureaucracy... it's basic risk management.
The honest warning: a government-approved label doesn't make a router secure. What keeps you safe is still regular updates, proper configuration, and someone paying attention.
Our take: Don't rush to replace anything. Do start asking your IT provider whether your next hardware refresh has a compliance strategy built in. If they don't have an answer, that's worth knowing now. Dont wait until your next audit.
Questions? Drop them below or shoot us a message. This one's moving fast and we're tracking it closely.
Source: fcc.gov/document/fcc-updates-covered-list-include-foreign-made-consumer-routers
