The US Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it is seeking public comment in support of a comprehensive review of the Consolidated Audit Trail, or CAT, and other such audit trails used in the regulation of the country's securities markets.

The agency said it is asking for input over CAT's funding and cost management, its regulatory purpose, structure and governance, as well as on the cybersecurity and data privacy of the CAT and other audit trails and related data sources.

SEC Chairman Paul Atkins said that commission has made progress in reforming CAT and has issued exemptive relief and approved amendments to the national market system plan governing the CAT, thereby reducing CAT's projected annual operating costs by over $100 million, according to a statement.

The SEC said that the public comment period will remain open for about 60 days.