L.R. Kimball Survey of Public Safety Officials Finds Next Generation 9-1-1 Implementation Accelerating and a Need for Strategic Cyber Security Oversight

EBENSBURG, Pa., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Research conducted and summarized in a white paper by Pennsylvania-based architecture, engineering and communications technology firm L.R. Kimball finds adoption of next generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) systems and the need for strategic cyber security oversight accelerating.  The firm’s white paper details the accelerating trend toward IP-based NG9-1-1 networks; the associated security risks; and the need for proactive and strategic cyber security oversight.

NG9-1-1 refers to the initiative to update the nation's 9-1-1 telecommunications infrastructure to improve and evolve our nation's 9-1-1 system as a whole.  In addition to calling 9-1-1 from a VoIP phone, the purpose of the initiative is to enable the public to transmit text, images, video, telematics information and other data via an IP-enabled network to a 9-1-1 center. As a part of the NG transition, NENA published and approved a set of NG9-1-1 cyber security standards (NG-SEC) on Feb. 6, 2010.   Experts Jeremy L. Smith and Gordon Vanauken, both from L.R. Kimball, co-chaired the NENA working group that developed the standards.

“As NG9-1-1 adds significant capabilities to emergency networks, it also adds potential vulnerabilities from exposure to viruses, malware, hackers and unintentional misuse, which can impact the entire network.  Emergency calls are matters of life, death and community safety; so NG9-1-1 systems must be solidly secured and protected to remain accessible,” said L.R. Kimball President and CEO R. Jeffrey Kimball.  “Our firm has played an important role in developing security standards and techniques for NG9-1-1 networks, and this white paper is designed to share some of our insights in this arena.”

In addition to offering broad trends, analysis and tips for secure NG9-1-1 integration, the white paper  highlights proprietary research conducted by L.R. Kimball to identify issues and concerns related to the adoption of advanced 9-1-1 systems. The survey of 100 public safety officials revealed, among many findings, the following:

• The majority of respondents were already implementing next generation 9-1-1 systems (22%) or planning to in the near future (66%).
• 62% of respondents reported having experienced cyber security problems in the previous 24 months; 54% of these responding agencies had experienced system downtime as a result.
• Infiltration of viruses and system failures requiring backup were among the most common specific technology issues reported.
• 70% of respondents stated that cyber security is an extremely important manner, with system downtime the leading concern.

“Our research revealed an emergency services community committed to advanced, technology-driven systems, yet challenged by the inherent vulnerability of such systems,” said Jeremy Smith, L.R. Kimball’s Senior Network Security Consultant. “We want to make our experience count for communities across the nation when it comes to cyber security.  We can help reduce the complexity often associated with cyber security, enabling 9-1-1 responders to focus on their ability to protect the public.”

Beyond highlighting the challenges related to NG9-1-1 systems, the whitepaper outlines several steps public service agencies should take to promote optimal cyber security.  It offers a rationale for agencies to undertake the following critical, proven measures in the process of implementing or planning for a next-generation 9-1-1 system:

• Vulnerability assessments
• Penetration testing
• Security architecture planning and consulting
• NENA security for next-generation 9-1-1 audits and planning
• VoIP security
• Security policies
• Security software/hardware selection and installation
• Staffing augmentation
• Managed security services

L.R. Kimball’s cyber security service offering is a cost-effective, comprehensive security resource for public safety agencies seeking to undertake these measures, shore up their NG9-1-1 systems and comply with NENA’s recently approved standards.

About L.R. Kimball

Established in 1953, L. R. Kimball is among the nation’s leading professional service companies offering its clients architectural and structural design services, civil and environmental engineering expertise, consulting and communications technology solutions. With a focus on targeted results, expertly managed, L.R. Kimball is committed to offering its diverse public and private-sector clients a tailored approach designed to meet their needs and budget. Headquartered in Ebensburg, Pa., the company employs 600 at 12 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. Visit www.lrkimball.com.

SOURCE L.R. Kimball