States and counties across the United States are gradually transitioning from legacy 911 systems to allow callers to transmit richer and more detailed information about their emergencies. Staff at 911 call centers, known as public safety answer points, or PSAPs, can then provide that comprehensive information to first responders.
However, as the migration to Next Generation 911 unfolds, and as the networks that feed information to PSAPs become IP-based, there is a growing realization that such systems could become more vulnerable to cyberattacks. The worry is that if NG911 systems are hacked or compromised, they could endanger more lives than they save.
That’s why state and local officials are increasingly focusing on the security needed for such systems. “The doors are going to be wide open,” Wisconsin CIO David Cagigal tells StateScoop. “These organizations are going to have to ramp up in an area they’re very unfamiliar with.”
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The Cybersecurity Risks Facing NG911 Systems
As the Department of Homeland Security notes, legacy 911 services that run on voice-based telephone networks and computer-aided…
