iCERT 2024 POLICY PLATFORM

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OVERVIEW

U.S. consumers and businesses are rapidly adopting new communications products and services that are increasingly mobile, data-centric, and bandwidth-intensive. These trends are driving innovations in areas like 5G, Internet-of-Things (IoT), Cloud Computing, and Artificial Intelligence. These advanced capabilities, along with Next Generation 911, will yield numerous benefits for public safety. Unfortunately, government agencies face budget constraints that make it difficult to adopt new technologies. As a result, they are forced to maintain aging equipment that imposes significant risks including operational malfunctions, vulnerability to hacking, and service outages.

 

POLICY GOAL

Support State and Federal policies that promote the widespread adoption of advanced technologies which improve emergency response and increase public safety.

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iCERT will monitor public policy activities that impact emergency response and public safety communications and will seek to advance policies that address funding challenges, create incentives to invest in new technology, and promote an open, interoperable environment.

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1.  Increase Funding for New Technologies. iCERT supports policies that will ensure adequate funding for advanced emergency response systems including, but not limited to, Federal funding for Next Generation 911 systems and services., and associated cybersecurity. It will actively support Federal legislation that provides additional funding.

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2.  Promote Effective Technology Policies. iCERT supports policies that will facilitate the implementation and effective use of advanced emergency response systems including a Next Generation 911, emergency alerts, and first responder communications. It will actively support Federal regulation supporting an effective NG911 framework.

 

3.  Promote Open Standards & Interoperability. iCERT supports the interoperability of all components of the emergency response ecosystem and the utilization of open standards to achieve such interoperability. It will participate in the efforts of the NG911 Interoperability Task Force to develop cost effective testing of NG911.

 

4.  Protect Against Cyber Threats. iCERT supports a cybersecurity framework that protects emergency response systems against cyber-based attacks and will work with Federal, State, and Local government agencies and affected stakeholders to promote effective protection of public safety networks, services, equipment, applications, and information.