The FPIC develops products to address topics and questions concerning interoperable communications, security services, spectrum (related to interoperability), and standards.
Guidelines for Encryption in Land Mobile Radio Systems (.pdf, 222.84 KB)
As a result from a number of security risk and vulnerability assessments, the public safety community has recognized the increasing effort to protect sensitive information transmitted over its wireless communications systems. The purpose of this document is to provide information that should be considered when evaluating encryption solutions to minimize the possibility of sensitive information being monitored, but are concerned with the cost of standards compliant encryption.
Guidelines for Encryption in Land Mobile Radio Systems - Determining What Encryption Method to Use for Public Safety Radios (.pdf, 324.78 KB)
This document discusses methods that may be used to ensure the privacy of sensitive public safety LMR communications. These methods mainly involve the use of a variety of encryption techniques.
Best Practices for Encryption in P25 Public Safety Land Mobile Radio Systems (.pdf, 607.02 KB)
This document addresses methods to improve cross-agency coordination and emphasizes the use of standards-based encryption to enhance secure interoperability and minimize the risk of compromising sensitive information.
Best Practices for Encryption in P25 Public Safety Land Mobile Radio Systems - Developing Methods to Improve Encrypted Interoperability in Public Safety Communications (.pdf, 159.28 KB)
This document highlights best practices of key management necessary to allow encrypted operability and interoperability. These best practices are important in developing system security where encrypted interoperability is realizable. Additionally, significant planning and coordination must be undertaken to achieve encrypted interoperability on a national scale.
Considerations for Encryption in Public Safety Radio Systems (.pdf, 324.78 KB)
This document examines the complex issues of why encryption may be needed during critical operations of an urgent or time-sensitive nature or when open communications may not be sufficient to protect personally identifiable and/or sensitive information. This document provides guidance to public safety users through a process to assess the need for encryption as well as the questions that must be considered.
Considerations for Encryption in Public Safety Radio Systems - Determining the Need for Encryption in Public Safety Radios (.pdf, 174.63 KB)
This document provides a high-level overview of all the factors public safety agencies and departments should thoroughly discuss and carefully considered before reaching a decision to encrypt their public safety radio systems.
Encryption Key Management Fact Sheet (.pdf, 110.01 KB)
Developed by SAFECOM and NCSWIC, in collaboration with the Federal Partnership for Interoperable Communications (FPIC), this fact sheet educates public safety organizations on how to effectively manage cryptographic keys for their radio systems. The ability for unauthorized persons to listen in on confidential and tactical information in radio transmissions has led many of these agencies to encrypt some or all radio transmissions. The document provides an overview of the various considerations for agencies desiring to encrypt their radios; summarizes what is involved in encryption and encryption key management; specifies which types of encryption are safest for use; and outlines why encryption key management is important.
Best Practices for Planning and Implementation of P25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and Console Subsystem Interface (CSSI): Volume I (.pdf, 915.32 KB)
As the public safety community continues to recognize the importance of land mobile radio (LMR) operability and interoperability, interest in ISSI and CSSI technology has increased. In response to this heightened interest in both technologies, FPIC, in conjunction with SAFECOM and NCSWIC, developed the Best Practices for Planning and Implementation of P25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and Console Subsystem Interface (ISSI) Volume I document to help the ISSI/CSSI user community address pre-planning, partnerships, and governance practices essential to planning an ISSI and/or CSSI implementation. The document includes a high-level overview of ISSI/CSSI technologies and a "Best Practices Checklist" to help explain the benefits of interoperability enhancements and the potential for infrastructure sharing for current and prospective ISSI/CSSI users as they plan and implement these interoperability solutions.
Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) Fact Sheet (.pdf, 214.43 KB)
This document provides an overview of the Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI), which provides a standards-based connection between two or more Project 25 (P25) networks to form a "system of systems." An ISSI can be an invaluable tool to enhance interoperability, extend coverage, and permit system-to-system roaming between partnering agencies and increases the efficiency and reliability of interoperable communications during emergency response and daily operations.
Project 25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and Console Subsystem Interface (CSSI) Primer (.pdf, 474.71 KB)
This document provides the ability to interconnect Project 25 radio frequency subsystems and console subsystems, even when systems are supported by different manufacturers. Given the inherent complexities in interconnecting radio frequency subsystems and navigating the implementation of standards-based technology, FPIC ISSI/CSSI Focus Group developed the Project 25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and Console Subsystem Interface (CSSI) Primer. The primer provides high-level overview and serves as a resource for current and prospective ISSI/CSSI users as they plan and implement these interoperability solutions.
The Patching and Dynamic Regrouping: Project 25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and Console Subsystem Interface (CSSI) Features and Functions White Paper (.pdf, 313.18 KB)
The Patching and Dynamic Regrouping: Project 25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and Console Subsystem Interface (CSSI) Features and Functions white paper provides communications system planners, administrators, and technicians with instructive and actionable information about patching and regrouping across ISSI and CSSI connections. The document provides technical explanations on how these features work, challenges public safety users have witnessed, and implementation considerations for multi-system environments.
Emergency Alarm: Project 25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and Console Subsystem Interface (CSSI) Features and Functions White Paper (.pdf, 524.34 KB)
The Emergency Alarm: Project 25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and Console Subsystem Interface (CSSI) Features and Functions white paper provides communications system planners, administrators, and technicians with instructive and actionable information about emergency alarms and emergency calls across ISSI and CSSI connections. The document provides technical explanations on how these features work, challenges public safety has witnessed, and implementation considerations for multi-system environments.
Best Practices for Planning and Implementation of P25 Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and Console Subsystem Interface (CSSI): Volume II (.pdf, 596.86 KB)
The Best Practices for Planning and Implementation of Project 25 (P25) Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) and Console Subsystem Interface (CSSI): Volume II addresses technology, policy and partnerships for planning and implementing an ISSI or CSSI. The volume includes a best practices checklist intended to prompt practitioners to ask questions and consider strategic elements that may otherwise be overlooked during planning or implementation.
Operational Best Practices for Encryption Key Management (.pdf, 3 MB)
Developed by the FPIC, in collaboration with SAFECOM and NCSWIC, this document provides public safety organizations that have chosen to encrypt their radio transmissions with information on how to effectively obtain, distribute, and manage cryptographic keys. The document discusses the various types of encryption, how to obtain encryption keys, how to store them, and why it is important to periodically change encryption keys while still maintaining interoperability with partner agencies. This document, and the accompanying Encryption Key Management Fact Sheet (.pdf, 110.01 KB), were published to guide public safety communications professionals on effectively managing encryption keys.