Security in transnational interoperable PPDR communications: threats and requirements

The relevance of cross border security operations has been identified as a priority at European level for a long time. A European network where Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) forces share communications processes and a legal framework would greatly enforce response to disaster recovery and security against crime. Nevertheless, uncertainty on costs, timescale and functionalities have slowed down the interconnection of PPDR networks across countries and limited the transnational cooperation of their PPDR forces so far. In this context, the European research project ISITEP is aimed at developing the legal, operational and technical framework to achieve a cost effective solution for PPDR interoperability across European countries. Inter alia, ISITEP project is specifying a new Inter-System-Interface (ISI) interface for the interconnection of current TETRA and TETRAPOL networks that can be deployed over Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity. This approach turns communications security as a central aspect to consider when deploying the new IP ISI protocol between PPDR national networks. Ensuring that threats to the interconnected communications systems and terminals are sufficiently and appropriately reduced by technical, procedural and environmental countermeasures is vital to realise the trusted and secure communication system needed for the pursued PPDR transnational cooperation activities. In this context, this paper describes the framework and methodology defined to carry out the development of the security requirements and provides a discussion on the undertaken security risk and vulnerability analysis.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Towards transnational interoperable PPDR communications: the European ISI cloud network

The European Council has been stressing the need for interoperability among technologies used for Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR) communications across Europe for a long time. Nevertheless, while the introduction of TETRA and TETRAPOL technologies in the last two decades has increased the possibility to talk cross agency internally in a country, cross border communication for the public safety forces is not well solved as of today. This paper describes the communications interoperability solution that is being developed in the framework of the ISITEP project. This solution, referred to as the European Inter-System Interface (ISI) Cloud Network, aims to integrate the PPDR national/regional infrastructures to allow migration (i.e., roaming) and communication services between networks within a secure framework. The ISI Cloud Network involves, among other components, the specification of a new ISI interface to be deployed over IP transport networks and the development of a number of different gateways to cover the use of TETRA and TETRAPOL technologies as well as the use of legacy TETRA ISI by some networks.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

SeBoCom Pre-Study - A preliminary study on Secure Border Communications

This document contains the outcome of the SeBoCom pre-study. The main objective of the SeBoCom project was to define the way to proceed to a further and complete study. This task was to be achieved through this pre-study and through a Workshop involving end-users to stimulate the discussion and gain input regarding their needs. This pre-study collects some initial data on the present Communications infrastructures outlining the co-existence of many different systems, some already based on digital technology, others outdated or quite obsolete. One of the key finding of the present study is the need to define joint procedures to manage communications among different bodies belonging to different Member States: the most reliable and secure telecommunication infrastructure will be useless if there is no agreement on the type and structure of communications that are transmitted over the infrastructure. The pre-study initially considers the pivotal role played by communications in Border Protection field operations, analyzing the different operational aspects. It subsequently presents the state if the art of the communication infrastructures of Border Security Forces in Europe as well as the expected future scenarios obtained through questionnaires sent to the contact points in the Member States. An initial broad view of the requirements for Secure Border Communications is outlined; this is followed by an analysis of the lessons learned in previous events; then a survey of the previous/ongoing studies on similar topics is also presented. The last chapters provide a Technology Survey and the conclusions based on the outcome of the pre-study and of the Workshop held in Ispra on May 27th and 28th 2008.JRC.G.6-Sensors, radar technologies and cybersecurit

Secure Data Communications for Controlling Electric Power Stations and Distribution Systems

Uninterrupted electric power distribution is vital for modern society. One of the key components is electric power stations and distribution systems. SCADA systems are used for controlling the power stations. SCADA systems have traditionally used propriety communication networks. For added electrical power station security, a video surveillance is required. Current telecommunication networks used for SCADA systems don't support speeds required for real time video. A standard Internet connection does not offer required reliability and security for SCADA communications. Multi-Agency Cooperation In Cross-border Operations (MACICO) project aims to produce a new way of combining multiple telecommunication channels, such as TETRA, satellite and 2G/3G/4G networks. A certain target is to create a single redundant secure and faster data transfer path for SCADA and video surveillance systems. In Finland there is a project starting utilizing new technologies for data transfer thus demonstrating usability and reliability of this new communication method

The evolution of public safety communications in Europe: the results from the FP7 HELP project

This paper describes the results from the FP7 HELP project, which investigated the potential of emerging wireless communication technologies and potential synergies between mobile public safety and commercial networks to enhance the communication capabilities of public safety users. The paper identifies the current trends and challenges for wireless communications in the public safety domain, the potential solution frameworks identified in the HELP project and an economic analysis to show the benefits in terms of cost saving. The paper also describes the related research activities of the European Commission in this area.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

A Survey on Multihop Ad Hoc Networks for Disaster Response Scenarios

Disastrous events are one of the most challenging applications of multihop ad hoc networks due to possible damages of existing telecommunication infrastructure.The deployed cellular communication infrastructure might be partially or completely destroyed after a natural disaster. Multihop ad hoc communication is an interesting alternative to deal with the lack of communications in disaster scenarios. They have evolved since their origin, leading to differentad hoc paradigms such as MANETs, VANETs, DTNs, or WSNs.This paper presents a survey on multihop ad hoc network paradigms for disaster scenarios.It highlights their applicability to important tasks in disaster relief operations. More specifically, the paper reviews the main work found in the literature, which employed ad hoc networks in disaster scenarios.In addition, it discusses the open challenges and the future research directions for each different ad hoc paradigm

Mission-Critical Communications from LMR to 5G: a Technology Assessment approach for Smart City scenarios

Radiocommunication networks are one of the main support tools of agencies that carry out actions in Public Protection & Disaster Relief (PPDR), and it is necessary to update these communications technologies from narrowband to broadband and integrated to information technologies to have an effective action before society. Understanding that this problem includes, besides the technical aspects, issues related to the social context to which these systems are inserted, this study aims to construct scenarios, using several sources of information, that helps the managers of the PPDR agencies in the technological decisionmaking process of the Digital Transformation of Mission-Critical Communication considering Smart City scenarios, guided by the methods and approaches of Technological Assessment (TA).As redes de radiocomunicações são uma das principais ferramentas de apoio dos órgãos que realizam ações de Proteção Pública e Socorro em desastres, sendo necessário atualizar essas tecnologias de comunicação de banda estreita para banda larga, e integra- las às tecnologias de informação, para se ter uma atuação efetiva perante a sociedade . Entendendo que esse problema inclui, além dos aspectos técnicos, questões relacionadas ao contexto social ao qual esses sistemas estão inseridos, este estudo tem por objetivo a construção de cenários, utilizando diversas fontes de informação que auxiliem os gestores destas agências na tomada de decisão tecnológica que envolve a transformação digital da Comunicação de Missão Crítica considerando cenários de Cidades Inteligentes, guiado pelos métodos e abordagens de Avaliação Tecnológica (TA)

Feasibility study of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) based Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) for public safety and security communications

Feasibility of IMS based PoC over public cellular network, specifically over commercial GPRS network, has been studied for public safety and security communication. Both day-to-day routine work and emergency operation handling capability of the PoC service as well as of the network have been considered. The requirements of PSS communication have been taken as the basis for analysing the technical viability of PoC service for PSS communication. The study is based on publicly available specification documents and related literature. The technical data and factual information have been collected from technical papers, reports and news articles posted into the Internet. The thesis also included a case study comparing over-aged analogue PMR systems and possible PoC service over a nationwide commercial GSM/GPRS network for PSS communication. The key findings in favour of using PoC over commercial GPRS networks include already existed nation-wide radio coverage and roaming across the nation boarder, ease of use, special group call functionality, advanced IMS based multimedia services. The study has identified some challenges of using PoC for PSS communication, which are mainly due to the inherent latency of GPRS access network and lack of prioritisation of special groups of users in commercial networks. Though the PoC service over commercial network does not fulfil all the requirements strictly but taking into account the suggested measures, it can be a good alternative to PMR networks. Use of PoC for PSS communication requires zero initial as well as less operational expenses for the respective PSS organizations. At the same time PSS sector is a potential revenue generating market segment for the operator as well

Evolution of Public Safety and Security mobile networks

Tutkimuksella haetaan vastausta kysymykseen, millainen viranomaisradioverkko täyttää käyttäjien tulevaisuuden tarpeet seuraavan 10 vuoden tähtäimellä. Tutkimuksen lähtökohtana on nykyisen radioverkon toteutus TETRA-tekniikalla. Tutkimus perustuu skenaariosuunnittelu-menetelmän käyttöön. Muutosvoimiin pohjautuen, skenaariosuunnittelua käyttäen, määritellään neljä skenaariota. Skenaarioiden perusteella laaditaan vaihtoehtoiset strategiat, tavoitteena optimaalinen strategia viranomaisradioverkko-operaattorille. Skenaarioiden ja strategioiden pohjalta tehdään seuraavat johtopäätökset: (1) viranomaiset tarvitsevat oman, erillisen radioverkon, kaupallista leveäkaistaverkkoa voidaan käyttää ei-kriittisen datan siirtoon; (2) uusia radiotaajuuksia tarvitaan laajakaistapalvelujen toteuttamiseksi <470 MHz:n alueelta ja leveäkaistapalvelujen toteuttamiseksi alle 1 GHz:n alueelta; (3) laajakaistaverkko (50...200kbit/s) on taloudellinen ratkaisu nopeaan datasiirtoon haja-asutus alueella; (4) tulevaisuudessa viranomaisten langattomassa tietoliikenneverkossa käytetään useita teknologioita - kapasiteetti ja kattavuus määräytyvät kunkin alueen todellisen käyttötarpeen mukaisesti ja; (5) viranomaisverkkojen leveäkaistaratkaisuksi LTE-teknologia näyttää hyvältä ratkaisulta. Lisätutkimuksia tarvitaan seuraavilta alueilta: datan tehokkaampi paketointi, jaetun LTE-verkon kuormitusdynamiikka, verkon tietoturva sekä optimaalisen hyöty/investointisuhteen selvittäminen, kun asiaa tarkastellaan yhteiskunnan kannalta.The study seeks answer to the question of how to fulfil the future needs of the PSS (Public Safety and Security) mobile communication. The contemporary mainstream technology, TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio), is chosen as the scenario starting point when defining the roadmap of the communication network for the PSS agencies. The research is based on the systematic scenario planning method. Using the scenario planning method, and being based on the identified change forces, four future scenarios are defined, the timescale being the next ten years. According to the defined scenarios, alternative strategies for the network operators are proposed. The scenarios and their match with the strategies suggest the following conclusions: (1) emergency agencies need a dedicated network, the commercial BB (broadband) cellular network is a feasible solution for non-critical data transmission; (2) the radio spectrum needs to be allocated for WB (wideband) in the <470MHz area and for BB in the <1GHz area; (3) the WB data network (50...200kbit/s) is an economical high speed mobile data solution in rural areas; (4) in future, PSS networks will consist of a set of technologies with appropriate coverage and capacity and; (5) LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology is a feasible solution for PSS BB mobile communication. Further research is, however, needed in the areas of data compression, traffic loading dynamics in the shared LTE network, security as well as on the definition of the optimum return on investment ratio from the perspective of society