Alexandria, VA – The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International has filed a Project Initiation with ANSI and has issued a call for participation for workgroup members to participate in the creation of an ANSI standard addressing Cyber Security Training for Public Safety Communications Personnel.

This standard will provide guidance and direction in developing cyber security training programs that will help deal with emerging threats to the public safety communications sector. Training of telecommunicators, supervisors, network administrators and multiple levels of management is critical to recognizing and mitigating numerous threats, which include, but are not limited to, viruses, trojans, denial-of-service attacks, and other intrusions by malicious actors. These attacks can result in data loss and system downtime. In order to maintain effective operation and delivery of public safety services this standard will address multiple levels, and types, of personnel training as it relates to an overall cybersecurity strategy for the emergency communications sector.

“As we move into an IP-based environment for emergency communications, cybersecurity will become increasingly more important. The first line of defense for cybersecurity detection in the PSAP will be the public safety communications personnel,” said Martha Carter, President of APCO International.

We are looking for a well-balanced group that will include contributions from technical and operational subject matter experts. The time and day that the Writing Group will meet is yet to be established.

All interested persons should complete the online application at this link: Cyber Training WG

Application deadline is October 8, 2017.  Selections will be made within two weeks of the deadline and all applicants will be notified of their status.