Telecom Giants Form C2 ISAC to Combat AI-Driven Cyber Threats

WASHINGTON, DC – May 19, 2026 – In an unprecedented move, eight of the largest U.S. communications companies have set aside their rivalries to form a united front against a common, formidable enemy: the escalating wave of sophisticated cyberattacks. AT&T, Charter, Comcast, Cox, Lumen Technologies, T-Mobile, Verizon, and Zayo announced today the establishment of the Communications Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Analysis Center, or C2 ISAC.

The new non-profit organization is designed to create a fortified, collaborative defense for the nation's critical communications infrastructure, which is increasingly targeted by state-sponsored actors and cybercriminals armed with advanced artificial intelligence. The move signals a pivotal shift in industry strategy, acknowledging that in the current threat environment, no single company can stand alone.

A Unified Front for National Security

The formation of C2 ISAC comes at a time of heightened alert. The digital backbone of the United States—powering everything from emergency services and financial markets to daily commerce and personal communication—faces a relentless barrage of threats. Recent intelligence has pointed to a dramatic increase in the speed and complexity of attacks, many of which are now supercharged by AI, allowing malicious actors to develop novel malware and execute social engineering campaigns at an unprecedented scale.

Industry experts note that the telecommunications sector is a high-value target for espionage, sabotage, and widespread disruption. The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report highlighted staggering losses from cyber-enabled crime, and advisories have consistently warned of state-sponsored groups targeting critical infrastructure. By creating a trusted, centralized hub for sharing real-time threat intelligence and coordinating defense strategies, the C2 ISAC aims to move the entire sector from a reactive to a proactive security posture.

"Cybersecurity threats are more sophisticated and persistent than ever," said Rich Baich, the inaugural chairperson of the C2 ISAC board and Chief Information Security Officer at AT&T. The founding members believe that by pooling resources, expertise, and visibility into attack patterns, they can collectively anticipate, identify, and neutralize threats far more effectively than they could individually. This collective defense is not just about protecting corporate assets; it's about safeguarding the resilience and reliability of services essential to national security and the daily lives of millions of Americans.

Evolving Beyond Past Models

The C2 ISAC builds upon a long history of public-private partnership, most notably the National Coordinating Center for Communications (COMM-ISAC), established in 1984. The COMM-ISAC, which operates as a component within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), has long served as a conduit for information sharing between the government and the private sector on a wide range of hazards, including physical threats and natural disasters.

However, the creation of a new, private-sector-only entity focused exclusively on cybersecurity suggests a strategic pivot. A 2021 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report noted that the existing framework had not been fully assessed for effectiveness and lacked updates on emerging threats like supply chain risks. The C2 ISAC’s structure—governed directly by the Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) of its member companies—is engineered for agility, enabling faster sharing of highly technical and sensitive cyber threat data without the bureaucratic layers that can sometimes accompany public-private partnerships. This move reflects a growing consensus that the pace of cyber threats requires an equally fast and specialized response mechanism.

Leadership and a Proven Framework

The credibility of the new initiative is bolstered by its leadership. Valerie Moon, a veteran of CISA and the FBI, has been appointed as the executive director. Her extensive background in cybersecurity and public-private cooperation is seen as critical to navigating the complex operational and strategic challenges ahead.

"With Valerie Moon serving as the executive director, the C2 ISAC is well positioned to expand trusted collaboration across the communications sector and help members address emerging risks," Baich stated.

The C2 ISAC will be governed by a board composed of the CISOs from the eight founding firms—a roster of some of the most respected security leaders in the industry, including executives from Comcast, Verizon, and T-Mobile. This governance model ensures that the center's priorities are driven by the on-the-ground realities faced by those defending the nation's largest networks.

The organization will operate based on the well-established ISAC model, which has proven effective in other critical sectors like finance and healthcare. These centers function as trusted communities where members can share sensitive threat indicators—often anonymously—using standardized protocols like the Traffic Light Protocol (TLP). This collaborative approach turns isolated incidents into collective intelligence, strengthening the security posture of the entire industry. While challenges for ISACs remain, including ensuring robust member participation and navigating legal complexities—especially with the impending expiration of the 2015 Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act—the model is widely seen as a best practice for sector-wide defense.

Bolstering a Resilient Digital Future

The establishment of C2 ISAC aligns directly with the goals of the U.S. National Cybersecurity Strategy, which emphasizes defending critical infrastructure and fostering deep, operational collaboration between the government and the private sector. While C2 ISAC is an industry-led initiative, its success will depend on maintaining a strong, symbiotic relationship with government partners like CISA.

For consumers and businesses, the long-term promise of this collaboration is a more secure and reliable digital ecosystem. By working together to fend off DDoS attacks, ransomware, and data breaches, these communications giants aim to enhance the integrity of their networks, protect customer data, and ensure the continuity of essential services.

"The C2 ISAC will strengthen individual member organizations and support the resilience of the nation's critical communications infrastructure," Moon said in the announcement. "I look forward to getting started."

With operations set to begin in June, the C2 ISAC represents a significant and necessary evolution in the fight to secure America's digital communications. It is a recognition that in the interconnected world of the 21st century, cybersecurity is a team sport, and the nation's biggest telecom players have just drafted themselves onto the same team.