L Robert Kimball & Associates has launched vendor-neutral, 9-1-1 centric cyber security practice and service for public safety agencies. The new systems are being built on IP-enabled, broadband backbones to enable local public safety departments to interconnect with other local, regional, state and/or federal agencies.
This interconnection will allow agencies to increase the types of data that can be transmitted to and from first responders and enhances the effectiveness of their ability to understand and respond during an emergency, the company claims.
According to the company, the cyber security service provides a range of offerings which include vulnerability assessments; penetration testing; cyber security roadmap & planning; security architecture planning/consulting; national emergency number association (NENA) security for next-generation 9-1-1 (NG-SEC) audits and planning for PSAPs and vendors; VoIP security; security policies (writing/revamping); security software/hardware selection/installation; staffing augmentation; and managed security services.
Kimball said, using specialised software and without intruding or interfering with emergency services, it scans the 9-1-1 network to identify vulnerabilities based on known issues. These are compiled into a report for using as the foundation for creating a cyber security roadmap.
Kimball, senior vice president of Joel McCamley, said: Next Generation 9-1-1 will revolutionise public safety, and its benefits far outweigh any risks. But now that they are becoming part of a larger, much more complex network, public safety agencies need to take a long, hard look at their cyber security plans.
