The FCC just made a major move that affects every business with a network — and especially those with remote workers. All foreign-made consumer routers have been added to the FCC’s Covered List, effectively banning new equipment authorizations for any consumer-grade router manufactured outside the United States.

This decision follows the Volt Typhoon, Salt Typhoon, and Flax Typhoon cyberattack campaigns that exploited foreign-made networking equipment to target American businesses and infrastructure.

What Happened

On March 23, 2026, the FCC added all foreign-made consumer-grade routers to its Covered List. New models can no longer receive equipment authorization unless the manufacturer obtains a conditional approval from the Department of Homeland Security. Routers you already own are unaffected, and enterprise-grade equipment is exempt.

What This Means for Your Business

Here’s the number that matters: 71% of U.S. households get their routers from their internet service provider, and nearly all of those devices are manufactured overseas. If your employees work from home — even part-time — their home network is part of your attack surface. Those ISP-provided routers come with minimal security, no matter what your provider tells you.

The fix is straightforward: invest in business-grade networking equipment and keep it updated. Consumer-grade routers have no place protecting business data.

The Bottom Line

The FCC is sending a clear signal: cheap foreign routers are a national security risk. If your business relies on remote workers connecting through consumer-grade equipment, it’s time to upgrade. Schedule a free IT consultation to audit your network security.

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