Technology is a critical tool for improving interoperability that should meet the needs of practitioners on the front lines and should address regional needs, existing infrastructure, cost verses benefits, and sustainability. The resources below provide examples of the technology currently used in the public safety environment.
- Alerts, Warnings, and Notifications (AWN)
- Interoperability
- Land Mobile Radio and Broadband
- Communications and Cyber Resiliency
- Emerging Technologies
Alerts, Warnings, and Notifications (AWN)
Highlighted Resource
Paging: A Vital Link for Public Safety (2022)
This document describes the value of paging to public safety operations, outlines considerations when implementing paging technology, explores best practices surrounding paging technology use, and suggests considerations to be addressed as technology evolves.
Essentials of Alerts, Warnings, and Notifications (.pdf, 819.15 KB) (2020) (*)
An overview of existing national AWN systems designed to offer public safety stakeholders the information and tools needed to familiarize themselves with AWN systems.
(*) Denotes Archived Material: In an effort to keep CISA.gov current, the archive contains information that may not reflect current policy or programs.
Interoperability
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The Transition to Advanced Encryption Standard White Paper (2023)
This white paper highlights the vulnerabilities of the continued use of the deprecated DES and other non-standard algorithms and provides an overview of actions and next steps being taking to support state, local, tribal, territorial (SLTT) agencies transition to Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) capabilities.
- Interoperability Continuum: A Tool for Improving Emergency Response Communications and Interoperability (.pdf, 2.84 MB) (2019) (*)
This tool provides a framework from which all emergency response agencies at the Federal, State, local, and tribal levels could use to baseline their planning and implementation of interoperability solutions. - Approach for Developing an Interoperable Information Sharing Framework (.pdf, 10 MB) (2021) (*)
This report describes the ongoing development of an Information Sharing Framework (ISF) for public safety. The ISF is designed to integrate public safety technology into operational practices and recommends the ISF structure, requirements, and policy considerations. - Priority Telecommunications Services
CISA provides the following services to federal, state, local, territorial and tribal emergency personnel, as well as industry personnel, to ensure ongoing communications under all circumstances: Government Emergency Telecommunications Services (GETS), Wireless Priority Services (WPS), and Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP).
(*) Denotes Archived Material: In an effort to keep CISA.gov current, the archive contains information that may not reflect current policy or programs.
Land Mobile Radio and Broadband
- Cyber Risks to Land Mobile Radio - First Edition (.pdf, 2.05 MB) (2022)
This document is intended for use by public safety officials and managers to familiarize themselves with LMR systems, cyber risks to LMR systems, and best practices and recommendations to mitigate cyber threats to public safety communications. - Land Mobile Radio (LMR) for Information Technology (IT) Professionals (.pdf, 594.48 KB) (2022)
This document explores the differences and unique requirements between LMR and IT networks to increase the IT professional’s understanding of what is involved in planning, implementing, and managing an LMR network by providing a high-level overview of system components, technologies, and operational needs.
Communications and Cyber Resiliency
Highlighted Resource
Public Safety Communications and Cyber Resiliency Toolkit
This is a collection of resources to assist public safety agencies and others responsible for communications networks in evaluating current resiliency capabilities, identifying ways to improve resiliency, and developing plans for mitigating the effects of potential resiliency threats.
- Considerations for Public Safety Cloud Computing Adoption (.pdf, 432 KB) (2024)
Consisting of example consideration questions, this document guides public safety practitioners through adoption of cloud technology. - Cyber Resiliency Resources for Public Safety Fact Sheet (.pdf, 506 KB) (2020) (*)
This fact sheet provides a non-comprehensive list of cyber resiliency resources available to public safety partners to help assess the cybersecurity and resiliency of mission-critical systems. - Cyber Risks to Land Mobile Radio - First Edition (.pdf, 740.28 KB) (2022)
This document is intended for use by public safety officials and managers to familiarize themselves with LMR systems, cyber risks to LMR systems, and best practices and recommendations to mitigate cyber threats to public safety communications. - Cyber Security Evaluation Tool (CSET(R)) Demonstration for Public Safety (Video) (2022)
A 90-minute CISA webinar for public safety organizations that demonstrates the Cyber Security Evaluation Tool (CSET®), and its specific application for emergency communications practitioners. - "First 48" What to Expect When a Cyber Incident Occurs (.pdf, 336.37 KB) (2022)
Developed in partnership with public safety officials who have experienced a cyberattack, this document is meant to highlight expectations and provide recommendations on how to proceed after experiencing a cyber incident. - Guide to Getting Started with a Cyber Security Assessment (.pdf, 409.21 KB) (2022)
The document provides a description of commonly practiced risk assessment steps and customizable reference tables for organizations to identify and document personnel and resources involved with each step of the assessment. - Infrastructure Obstructions to Radio Propagation (.pdf, 519.60 KB) (2021) (*)
This document aims to equip communications system planners and administrators with knowledge to better prepare for changes to existing infrastructure by highlighting potential obstructions (e.g., bridges, wind turbines, cranes) and providing examples of prevention and mitigation approaches. - Public Safety Communications Dependencies on Non-Agency Infrastructure and Services (.pdf, 1.43 MB) (2024)
This white paper provides several examples of infrastructure and service dependencies that public safety agencies might have on non-agency entities. - Communications Dependencies Case Studies
- Communications Dependencies Case Study: 2020 Midwest Derecho (.pdf, 363 KB) (2022)
This document provides emergency communications administrators with knowledge to better prepare for severe power outages impacting communications and work with commercial providers during and after inclement weather incidents. In addition to lessons learned, the document highlights key takeaways and communications dependencies best practices. - Communications Dependencies Case Study: Nashville Christmas Day Bombing (.pdf, 205 KB) (2022)
This document provides emergency communications administrators and public safety officials with knowledge to better prepare for severe communications outages impacting public safety operations and work with commercial providers during and after man-made disasters. In addition to lessons learned, the document highlights key takeaways and communications dependencies best practices.
- Communications Dependencies Case Study: 2020 Midwest Derecho (.pdf, 363 KB) (2022)
- Radio Frequency Interference Best Cyber Practices Guidebook (.pdf, 1.61 MB) (2020) (*)
This white paper educates public safety organizations on RF interference threats and the implications they pose to public safety communications. - Risks to Public Safety: Ransomware Guide (.pdf, 388.04 KB) (2020) (*)
This document provides an overview of how ransomware attacks function, the potential impact on emergency response operations, common cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and best practices to help secure public safety networks.
(*) Denotes Archived Material: In an effort to keep CISA.gov current, the archive contains information that may not reflect current policy or programs.
Emerging Technologies
Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Resource Guide for Public Safety and Life Support (.pdf, 285.81 KB) (2025)
This guide outlines multiple resources available to public safety communications stakeholders when developing a UAS program or deploying or encountering UAS in the public safety environment.
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Check out the SAFECOM Resource Library. An alphabetized list of hyperlinks to all SAFECOM, NCSWIC, FPIC, and Project 25 (P25) resources.