CISA’s Emergency Communications Division (ECD) organized a symposium in the Southeast for the Cyber Resilient 911 (CR911) Program. The symposium included attendees from regions 4 and 6, as well as Delaware, Puerto Rico, West Virginia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The attendees were 911 administrators, representatives from local centers and IT/cyber communities, and Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (SWICs) from each state and territory. CISA has a history of collaborating with SWICs, which is important for improving nationwide interoperability and strengthening relationships in emergency communication systems like 911.
The FCC, NHTSA, and NTIA worked with CISA to identify cybersecurity priorities for the CR9.11 Program.
At the symposium, speakers and panelists talked about the current cyber threats and ways to improve the cybersecurity of Emergency Communication Centers. They discussed cyber resilience in the 911 system, how to respond to cyberattacks, and available resources. Facilitators used live polling, breakout sessions, and group discussions to understand stakeholders’ needs and concerns about cybersecurity. Attendees also took part in a tabletop discussion about a simulated cyberattack.
Billy Bob Brown, Jr., Executive Assistant Director of CISA’s ECD, shared this sentiment following the success of the program’s second symposium, “We are grateful to all our 911 stakeholders, esteemed partners at NHTSA, NTIA, and FCC, as well as speakers from other CISA divisions, state, local and federal entities, for joining us and making the program’s second symposium a resounding success.
Each region offers an invaluable perspective for their state and local communities. Listening to their challenges and feedback has been instrumental in helping CISA understand what it takes to truly build a secure and resilient 911 ecosystem that is capable of strengthening our nation’s ECCs against evolving cyber threats.”
CISA plans to hold two more symposiums in the Western and Central regions in Spring 2024 to better understand the cybersecurity needs of the 911 community.
This symposium moves CISA closer to its goal of strengthening the 911 community’s critical infrastructure against cyber threats through a secure and resilient 911 ecosystem.