As CISA celebrates Emergency Communications Month, we want to recognize public safety telecommunicators across the nation.  We thank you for your commitment and service to public safety.  We are pleased to announce the release of the Considerations for Cyber Disruptions in an Evolving 911 Environment document.  The document is now available at cisa.gov/safecom/next-generation-911.

Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) across the nation are in varying phases of transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911).  The increased connectivity of NG911 provides new vectors for threats that can disrupt ECC operations.  ECCs can experience cyber incidents as a result of malicious actors or even an errant software update to a managed service provider's network.

CISA, SAFECOM, and the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) developed the Considerations for Cyber Disruptions in an Evolving 911 Environment document to provide ECCs with considerations for updating Continuity of Operations (COOP) plans to better prepare for cyber disruption events in an NG911 environment.  The document discusses the various threat vectors for NG911 systems and provides considerations for updating COOP plans, such as identifying alternate ECCs, maintaining data, and engaging with partners.  The document also includes helpful resources and a checklist of considerations.

This document would not be possible without input from our partners at SAFECOM and National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC).  We sincerely thank you for your contributions to ensure this document was written by, and for, public safety agencies.

We encourage you to share the document and blog post with your colleagues and anyone who might be interested.  For questions about the document, please contact ng911wg@cisa.dhs.gov or visit cisa.gov/safecom/next-generation-911 for additional SAFECOM and NCSWIC NG911 resources.

"We encourage you to join CISA in celebrating Emergency Communications Month.  You can also follow CISA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn."