NPSTC is standing up a Public Safety Cybersecurity Working Group within the Technology and Broadband Committee.  Neil Horden will chair the new Working Group. Securing our nation against cyberattacks has become one of the nation's highest priorities.  Cyberattacks can have instant, wide-ranging consequences, and no country, industry, community, or individual is immune.  Public safety relies on robust, reliable communications, and the advent of wireless broadband communications not under public safety's direct purview as well as interagency data sharing has raised concerns about the security of critical information.  Cybersecurity involves protecting information by establishing policies that attempt to prevent, detect, and respond to attacks.

The Public Safety Cybersecurity Working Group will:

Investigate and share information directly impacting public safety cybersecurity communications including dispatch, field response, and other means of communications such as input from the public (text, video, social media) and the public safety internet of things.

Bring in experts in public safety and other relevant cybersecurity disciplines to share their experiences, lessons learned, and best practices with a focus on the technology used to secure communications.

Develop documents, videos, presentations, and other relevant media that helps the public safety community prepare for and execute protections against cyberattacks to their networks.  This may include best practices for points of communications (dispatch, field, and others), a compendium of effective technologies, encryption technologies and operational use, and recommendations/requirements for public safety specific cybersecurity incident plans.

Stay abreast of activities in other public safety cybersecurity-focused organizations.

Working Group Chair Neil Horden has more than 35 years of experience in wireless communications, including LMR and cellular technology.  As principal consultant for Horden Technology LLC, he supports the public safety and wireless communications markets with technical and procurement assistance.  He was previously an EMT and cardiac rescue technician in the state of Delaware.

NPSTC is anxious to begin the cybersecurity efforts and is looking for volunteers who have an interest in this topic.  Volunteer members will have an active role in guiding the direction of the Working Group and defining its deliverables.  To Volunteer for the Working Group complete this form.