CISA Releases National Special Security Events (NSSE)/Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Communications Planning Toolkit (Version 2.0)

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released an updated version of the National Special Security Events (NSSE)/Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) Communications Planning Toolkit.  This toolkit includes the updated National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command System (ICS) structure and a standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination for event management. Planning considerations for cybersecurity and information technology have been added to Version 2.0.

In this year of the global pandemic, CISA has continued to provide communications planning support to the state, local, and federal jurisdictions managing communications for NSSEs such as the Super Bowl and political conventions. This toolkit, which leverages best practices from those events, has been written as a resource guide for state, local, and federal authorities tasked with preparing for and providing communications support for future NSSEs. It also includes tools and templates to support communications planning.

Providing resources like this toolkit is part of our mission to support you and your jurisdictions in strengthening emergency communications capabilities and preparedness nationwide.

To request a copy of the NSSE/SEAR Planning Toolkit, please contact ECD@cisa.dhs.gov.