Interoperability

From the Document: "Standard operating procedures are one of the five 'critical success factors' essential for interoperable communications. This Issue Brief will describe: 1) the public safety community's need for standard operating procedure (SOP) models; 2) the SOP models that are available for use; 3) the five-step SOP development and testing process; 4) the critical importance of involving end users to ensure operational utility (that the policies actually work in the real world); and 5) the expected operational benefits."

From the Abstract: "This report provides an overview of the capabilities and usage of software identification (SWID) tags as part of a comprehensive software lifecycle. As instantiated in the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 19770-2 standard, SWID tags support numerous applications for software asset management and information security management. This report introduces SWID tags in an operational context, provides guidelines for the creation of interoperable SWID tags, and highlights key usage scenarios for which SWID tags are applicable."

From the Document: "From 2003 through 2006, the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) awarded 65 grants totaling $250 million to local law enforcement agencies across the United States under its Interoperable Communications Technology Program (ICTP). The purpose of these grants was to fund projects that explored uses of equipment and technologies to increase interoperability and data information sharing among the law enforcement, fire service, and emergency medical service communities. With thorough and rigorous planning, these projects helped to demonstrate how new technologies and operating methods could help communities achieve interoperability. This report describes the findings of an ICTP assessment study conducted by the Institute for Law and Justice (ILJ), in which they examined the grant implementation process of the ICTP grantees. The report describes successful practices to improve interoperability and build stronger multiagency and multidisciplinary partnerships. It also highlights ten best practices that could help improve agencies in both critical incident and day-to-day operations."

From the Highlights: "The lack of communications interoperability--the capability of different electronic communications systems (e.g., radios) to readily connect with one another to enable timely communications--can affect mission operations and the overall effectiveness of agencies responsible for securing the border. DHS continues to face challenges in achieving interoperable radio communications within and among federal, state, and local agencies despite investment by these agencies to improve their radio systems. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to evaluate DHS border security and immigration tactical communications (TACCOM) programs and operational impacts resulting from interoperability challenges. This report addresses the extent to which (1) CBP [US Customs and Border Protection] and ICE [US Immigration and Customs Enforcement] have upgraded tactical communications equipment and infrastructure along the U.S. southwest border, (2) CBP and ICE have provided tactical communications training to radio users, and (3) DHS has taken actions to improve the interoperability of tactical communications along the U.S. southwest border and what challenges, if any, remain. GAO analyzed DHS documentation; visited four locations, selected for DHS prioritization of technology upgrade projects; and interviewed DHS officials. GAO recommends that CBP and ICE develop performance and program plans for their modernization programs, mechanisms to track training, and plans to address skills gaps in understanding radio systems. CBP and ICE concurred with the recommendations."

From the Highlights: "EHR [electronic health record] interoperability is viewed by many health care stakeholders as a necessary step toward improving health care. However, interoperability has remained limited. Although the federal government plays a key role in guiding movement toward interoperability, many of the actions are to be completed by nonfederal stakeholders. GAO [Government Accountability Office] was asked to review the status of efforts by entities other than the federal government to develop infrastructure that could lead to nationwide interoperability of health information. This report describes the (1) characteristics of selected nonfederal initiatives intended to facilitate EHR interoperability, and (2) key challenges related to EHR interoperability and the extent to which selected nonfederal initiatives are addressing these challenges. GAO interviewed representatives from 18 selected nonfederal initiatives that were frequently mentioned by stakeholders GAO interviewed, and reflected a range of approaches. GAO reviewed documents from these initiatives as well as other published research."

From the Highlights: "VA [U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs] operates one of the nation's largest health care systems, serving millions of veterans each year. For almost two decades, the department has undertaken a patchwork of initiatives with DOD to increase interoperability between their respective electronic health record systems. During much of this time, VA has also been planning to modernize its system. While the department has made progress in these efforts, it has also faced significant information technology challenges that contributed to GAO [Government Accountability Office]'s designation of VA health care as a high risk area. This statement summarizes GAO's August 2015 report (GAO-15-530) on VA's efforts to achieve interoperability with DOD's electronic health records system. It also summarizes key content from GAO's reports on duplication, overlap, and fragmentation of federal government programs. Lastly, this statement provides updated information on VA's actions in response to GAO's recommendation calling for an interoperability and electronic health record system plan."

From the Document: "Public-safety communications systems are used by first responders, such as police officers and firefighters, to respond to various types of emergencies. Interoperable communications systems are important because they allow first responders to communicate with their counterparts in other agencies and jurisdictions, even though the systems or equipment vendors may differ. Currently, the public-safety community uses land mobile radio systems to transmit and receive critical voice communications, but land mobile radio systems may have issues with interoperability and capacity during large-scale emergencies or disasters. [...] We addressed the following questions: [1.] What are the missions and memberships of organizations that promote the interoperability of emergency communications, and to what extent, if at all, are they overlapping or duplicative? [2.] What are selected stakeholders' views on the effectiveness of the efforts of these organizations?"

From the Highlights: "Emergency responders across the nation rely on land mobile radio (LMR) systems to gather and share information and coordinate their response efforts during emergencies. These public safety communication systems are fragmented across thousands of federal, state, and local jurisdictions and often lack 'interoperability,' or the ability to communicate across agencies and jurisdictions. To supplement the LMR systems, in 2007, radio frequency spectrum was dedicated for a nationwide public safety broadband network. Presently, 22 jurisdictions around the nation have obtained permission to build public safety broadband networks on the original spectrum assigned for broadband use. This requested report examines (1) the investments in and capabilities of LMR systems; (2) plans for a public safety broadband network and its expected capabilities and limitations; (3) challenges to building this network; and (4) factors that affect the prices of handheld LMR devices. GAO [Government Accountability Office] conducted a literature review, visited jurisdictions building broadband networks, and interviewed federal, industry, and public safety stakeholders, as well as academics and experts. […] The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should work with partners to identify and communicate opportunities for joint procurement of public safety LMR devices. In commenting on a draft of this report, DHS agreed with the recommendation. GAO also received technical comments, which have been incorporated, as appropriate, in the report."

From the Summary: "Since September 11, 2001, when communications failures contributed to the tragedies of the day, Congress has passed several laws intended to create a nationwide emergency communications capability. Yet the United States has continued to strive for a solution that assures seamless communications among first responders and emergency personnel at the scene of a major disaster. To address this problem, Congress included provisions in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. [Public Law] 112-96) for planning, building, and managing a new, nationwide, broadband network for public safety communications, and assigned additional spectrum to accommodate the new network. In addition, the act has designated federal appropriations of over $7 billion for the network and other public safety needs. These funds will be provided through new revenue from the auction of spectrum licenses. The cost of construction of a nationwide network for public safety is estimated by experts to be in the tens of billions of dollars over the long term, with similarly large sums needed for maintenance and operation. In expectation that public-private partnerships to build the new network will reduce costs to the public sector, the law has provided requirements and guidelines for shared use."

This report was submitted by Representative Michael McCaul of the Committee on Homeland Security. From the Purpose and Summary: "The purpose of H.R. 4289 is to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of Homeland Security to take administrative action to achieve and maintain interoperable communications capabilities among the Department's components."

From the Purpose and Summary: "H.R. 4067, the 'Communications Security Advisory Act of 2021,' directs the Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a committee to advise the Commission on issues related to the security, reliability, and interoperability of communications networks."

From the Document: "The Federal Government and public safety community are harnessing advanced communications technologies to deploy a nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) to enhance emergency communications. The vision and need for the NPSBN has been referenced by multiple critical national security reports, including the 9/11 Commission Report, the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) 2006 Independent Advisory Committee's 'Report on the Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina: Lessons Learned', and the 2007 'NSTAC [National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee] Report to the President on Emergency Communications and Interoperability'. The FCC's 2010 'National Broadband Plan' also called for the need of an NPSBN and in February 2011, the Federal Government released the 'Wireless Innovation and Infrastructure Initiative', which emphasized the Administration's commitment to creating such a network by calling for a $10.7 billion investment for the NPSBN."

From the Highlights: "Public safety officials rely on thousands of separate radio systems to communicate during emergencies, which often lack interoperability, or the ability to communicate across agencies and jurisdictions. The 2012 act created FirstNet to establish a nationwide, interoperable, wireless broadband network for public safety use. In doing so, the act established numerous responsibilities for FirstNet, provided $7 billion from spectrum auctions proceeds for the network's construction, and required FirstNet to be self-funding beyond this initial allocation. As part of the effort, FirstNet is working with five 'early builder projects' that have permission to build local and regional interoperable public-safety broadband networks. This statement is based on preliminary information from GAO's [Government Accountability Office] ongoing review of FirstNet. This statement addresses (1) FirstNet's progress carrying out its responsibilities and establishing internal controls, (2) how much the network is estimated to cost and how FirstNet plans to become self-funding, and (3) what lessons can be learned from the early builder projects. GAO reviewed relevant FirstNet documentation and public-safety network cost estimates recommended by agency officials and experts; surveyed the state-designated FirstNet contact in 50 states, 5 territories, and the District of Columbia; and interviewed FirstNet officials and public safety and wireless industry stakeholders selected for their telecommunications and public safety experience, among other things."

From the Document: "Emergency alert, warning, and notification (AWN) systems help protect lives and property by identifying information about an impending threat, communicating that information to those who need it, and facilitating the timely taking of protective actions. SAFECOM, the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) developed these best practices, known as the 'Ten Keys,' in conjunction with the AWN community as recommendations to help organizations enhance critical information sharing."

This is the June 17, 2010 hearing on "Discussion Draft to Provide Funding for the Construction and Maintenance of a Nationwide, Interoperable Public Safety Broadband Network and for Other Purposes and On H.R. 4829, the Next Generation 911 Preservation Act of 2010," held before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet. From the opening statement of Rick Boucher: "The subcommittee will come to order. Today the subcommittee will consider the steps that Congress can take to facilitate the creation of a nationwide, interoperable broadband network for the public safety community. As the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and the natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina have starkly revealed, there are serious obstacles that prevent fire, police, and rescue personnel from one locality from communicating with first responders from other localities when they converge on the scene of a disaster. In some instances, fire police and rescue personnel in a single locality may lack a means of interoperable communications, one with another. There is a widely understood need to create a fully interoperable first responder network but as of today that network remains a goal. It is not a reality." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Rick Boucher, Cliff Stearns, John Shimkus, Bobby L. Rush, Joe Barton, Henry A. Waxman, Anna G. Eshoo, Marsha Blackburn, Jerry McNerney, Anthony D. Weiner, Kathy Castor, Jay Inslee, Jane Harman, James Arden Barnett, Jr., Charles F. Dowd, Jonathan Moore, Dale Hatfield, Steve Zipperstein, Joseph Hanley, Coleman D. Bazelon, and Brian Fontes.

This testimony compilation is from the November 18, 2014 hearing, "Interoperable Communications: Assessing Progress Since 9/11," held before the US House Committee on Homeland Security, Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Communications. From the opening statement of Chairman Brooks: "As you well know, the 9/11 Commission report examined the communications failures first responders experienced at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania and recommended the allocation of radio spectrum to public safety for the creation of an interoperable public safety communications network. Unfortunately, communications challenges persisted during Hurricane Katrina. Much has changed since 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina exposed significant gaps in communications capabilities. Congress established the Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) in the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act to coordinate Federal interoperable communications programs and conduct outreach to support emergency response providers. OEC has worked with States on the development of Statewide Communication Interoperability Plans and in 2008 issued the first National Emergency Communications Plan, which included goals for achieving communications capabilities at the state and local levels. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Grant Programs Directorate reports that states and localities have invested more than $5 billion in preparedness grant funding to enhance their communications capabilities. These grants have been used for planning, training, exercises, equipment, and to fund Statewide Interoperability Coordinator positions. […]These are all important steps. But we know that challenges remain and more work must be done. Despite all these programs and investments, interoperable communications continues to be a challenge during disaster response, as evidenced during the response to Hurricane Sandy and the Navy Yard shooting. We must continue to work to ensure first responders have the tools they need to communicate." Statements, letters and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Susan Brooks, Ronald Hewitt, TJ Kennedy, and Mark Grubb.

This is the September 24, 2009 hearing on "National Interoperable Broadband Network for Public Safety: Recent Developments," held before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. From the statement of Rich Boucher: "This morning we will examine various proposals advanced by the first responder community and by commercial wireless carriers for realization of the national interoperable network. In advance of the 700 megahertz auction in 2008, the FCC [Federal Communications Commission] crafted a plan to auction the 10 megahertz D block of the 700 megahertz spectrum to a commercial carrier, who under the terms of the proposal would then build out the D block with the requisite telecommunications equipment. Under the terms of the auction, the winning commercial bidder would share the 10 megahertz with public safety and public safety would have priority access to that network. Those terms proved to be unattractive to the commercial carriers and in the auction the D block did not receive the auction reserve price and was not sold. It remains unsold at the present time. A variety of proposals have been advanced since the failed D block auction about how the D block could be used to create a much needed nationwide first responder network. We will examine today the proposals and ask if any of them could result in a true nationwide network built out with the necessary wireless telecommunications equipment. The build-out of the wireless infrastructure would appear to be the largest single challenge, how to finance that, and we will focus our inquiry today on how that build-out could be financed through the various proposals that have been placed before us." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Rick Boucher, Cliff Stearns, Anna G. Eshoo, John Shimkus, Henry A. Waxman, Joe Barton, Bart Stupak, Lee Terry, Marsha Blackburn, Peter Welch, Tim Murphy, John D. Dingell, William Bratton, Brian Fontes, Harlin R. McEwen, Jason Barbour, Stacey Black, Joseph Hanley, and Kostas Liopiros.

This is the March 30, 2011 hearing on "Public Safety Communications: Are the Needs of Our First Responders Being Met?" held before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security. From the opening statement of Peter T. King: "The committee is meeting today to hear testimony on the state of public safety communications in order to identify where progress has been made since the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, and where shortfalls remain. We will examine issues such as the reallocation of the D Block, the need for a National interoperable public safety wireless broadband network, the National broadband plan and the extent of coordination between Federal, State, and local partners." Statements, letters, and materials submitted for the record include those of the following: Peter T. King, Bennie G. Thompson, John E. "Jack" Parow, William "Bill" D. Carrow, Paul H. Fitzgerald, Gregory L. Simay, Jim Mullen, and Laura Richardson.

From the Purpose: "'The SAFECOM [Safety Communications] Strategic Plan and Implementation Guide' is a stakeholder-driven plan that aims to enhance operability and interoperability for public safety communications through the education of the community, decision makers, and elected officials on short- and mid-term priorities and their associated annual products and activities. The Plan also provides clarification on SAFECOM's strategies to prioritize resources, strengthen governance, identify future investments, and address interoperability gaps over the long term. Additionally, this Plan: [1] Provides a nationwide perspective on the public safety communications community's top concerns; [2] Provides suggested focus areas for the current calendar year, which state, regional, local, tribal, and territorial levels may use to drive their own activities and allocate resources; [3] Aligns SAFECOM's work products to the 2014 National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) and suggested timeline for execution (Appendix A); [4] Provides a concrete list of investment justifications validating the Department of Homeland Security(DHS) Office of Emergency Communications' (OEC) expenditures for in-person, collaborative stakeholder meetings. The Plan is consistent with the program's mission and vision, and supports a bottom-up approach to gathering stakeholder input from its members--50 representatives from state, local, tribal, and territorial emergency responders, appointed and elected officials, and major intergovernmental and national public safety associations. It is based on an understanding of the current and future public safety communications environment."

From the Introduction: "When disaster strikes, the need to communicate is immediate. States, territories, tribes, and localities rely on operable and interoperable communications to respond effectively to incidents, both large and small. While recognized as a priority across the nation, funding for emergency communications remains a challenge, especially in a period of stressed budgets and competing priorities. To ensure public safety stakeholders have the information they need to make effective decisions before, during, and after budget cuts, this guide provides a series of contingency considerations to justify investment in mission-critical components. Recent national events, such as the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] pandemic, ongoing geopolitical tensions, and severe weather events have caused public safety agencies to reprioritize funding, often to the emergency communications community's detriment. In an already strained funding environment, budget reductions directly impact everything from project timelines to employment status. While the nation continues to face unprecedented events, it is important to note that the causes of funding cuts may come from multiple sources for various reasons."

From the Executive Summary: "The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Emergency Communications (OEC), in coordination with SAFECOM [Safety Communications] and the National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC), is pleased to present a compendium to the '2011 Emergency Communications System Lifecycle Planning Guide, (Lifecycle Guide)' which provides additional information about public safety communications system lifecycle planning in light of changes in the field. In particular, this document takes a more comprehensive approach to the lifecycle by incorporating a Pre-Planning Phase as well as recommendations for technological innovation and implementation. It is meant for stakeholders to use in their efforts to fund, plan, procure, implement, support, and maintain public safety communications systems, and eventually to replace and dispose of system components. This document provides considerations and recommended actions through easy-to-use checklists for each phase of the system lifecycle planning model."

From the Summary: "This Interoperability Strategic Vision whitepaper aims to promote a common understanding of the meaning and characteristics of interoperability and to provide a strategy to advance the state of interoperability as applied to integration challenges facing grid modernization. This includes addressing the ease and reliability of integrating devices and systems and the discipline to improve the process of successfully integrating these components as business models and information technology improve over time. The strategic vision for interoperability described in this document applies throughout the electric energy generation, delivery, and end-use supply chain. Its scope includes interactive technologies and business processes from the bulk power transmission system level to the lower voltage distribution system level and to the millions of appliances that are becoming equipped with processing power and communication interfaces. A transformational aspect of a vision for interoperability in the future electric system is coordinated operation of intelligent devices and systems at the edges of the grid infrastructure."

From the Introduction: "The National Interoperability Field Operations Guide (NIFOG) is a technical reference for emergency communications planning and for radio technicians responsible for radios that will be used in disaster response. The NIFOG includes rules and regulations for use of nationwide and other interoperability channels, tables of frequencies and standard channel names, and other reference material, formatted as a pocket-sized guide for radio technicians to carry with them. If you are not familiar with interoperability and mutual aid communications, start with the 'How to Use the National Interoperability Field Operations Guide' section."

From the thesis abstract: "This research paper reviews current emergency management capability to respond to significant incidents, both natural and manmade. In such incidents, multiple agencies must respond, manage forces, and provide critical support as a cohesive team. These organizations span the gamut of local, tribal, state, and federal levels of government and of the private sector. They include the broad range of first responders, fire, medical, and police. The unity of effort needed to provide timely, efficient, and integrated responses can only be achieved through effective command, control, and communication within and among responding forces. A unified response requires interoperable communications among all agencies, at all levels. Responders need a mechanism to track all responding forces. All responders must share a common operating picture that fuses and displays disparate data. This paper reviews current national policies, procedures, and technologies for managing large-scale emergencies. It identifies challenges and opportunities for improvement. It concludes with recommendations for implementing a nationwide interoperable communications system which will facilitate formulation of a common operating picture for first responders."

From the thesis abstract: "Communities on the international border are often interconnected by more than simple proximity. They are connected through social networks, economy, culture, and shared natural resources. Despite this interdependent relationship, and in spite of international agreements that support mutual aid between countries, crossing the border with emergency resources, even for a humanitarian purpose, can be problematic. This thesis examined existing agreements on both the northern and southern U.S. borders to determine how various regions address their cross-border agreements. Research indicated that unique challenges-such as liability concerns, local politics, and border violence-along the Mexican border must be addressed. By examining the fuller context, this thesis recommends that local entities examine their specific challenges to establishing fully interoperable agreements. Local interoperability agreements just might move us beyond 'sister city agreements' and put us on the path toward functional international partnerships."

From the monograph abstract: "In today's complex security environment, the United States' need for allies is greater than ever. While the demands on American ground forces to defend allies and deter adversaries are significant and growing, the ability to provide strategic landpower due to fiscal and political constraints is decreasing. Clearly, a strategy is needed to balance the costs of war with the responsibility of deterring adversaries to win in a complex world. This monograph addresses Army Warfighting Challenge fourteen: How to integrate joint, interorganizational, and multinational partner capabilities and campaigns to ensure unity of effort and accomplish missions across the range of military operations. Specifically, to what degree should the Department of Defense develop more effective Canada-United States interoperability, integration, and interdependence to provide more rapid and agile responses to emerging threats and security challenges? During World War II (WWII), the First Special Service Force (FSSF), a unit consisting of Canadian and US soldiers, was an elite formation that produced a whole greater than the sum of its parts against Germany. During the Korean War, unlike in Italy and France during WWII with the FSSF, Canadians were unable to integrate effectively into the coalition effort. High-level political-military communications, planning, integration, and logistics were continual problems throughout operations. With the new Army Operating Concept and Army Vision 2025, there are opportunities for Canadian elements to 'plug in' to US units. In the end, this could lead to more efficient, rapid, and better-employed forces for allied operations. By forming a permanently standing integrated brigade, the United States and Canadian armies can maximize independent comparative advantages and increase multinational interoperability, integration, and interdependence to ensure unity of effort and accomplish missions across the range of military operations."

From the thesis abstract: "Achieving interoperability in a net-centric environment is fundamental to maximizing the potential of information sharing and effective use of resources in military operations. With the increasing reliance on unmanned platforms worldwide, there is a need to study the limitations of existing Command and Control (C2) Systems in dealing with the increasing number of objects. More processing power would be required to achieve or maintain a certain level of efficiency and effectiveness of the C2 system in managing and processing the tracks detected. Also, with increasing collaborations between services and allies, interoperability between multiple systems is pertinent. An additional challenge is the need to exchange target-rich tactical picture information. A systems engineering approach was used to identify the critical factors necessary in a C2 system to be architected to satisfy the needs for a future C2 system able to achieve and maintain interoperability in a target rich environment. A pilot study was conducted using ExtendSim to model growing networks and injection of increased amounts of data to assess their impact on the timeliness of information received by the system nodes. Potential future work on the pilot study was described."

From the thesis abstract: "Given that public safety answering points (PSAPs or 9-1-1 dispatch centers) are undergoing a process of consolidation, should that consolidation occur as a function of simple geographic proximity or discipline? This thesis investigated the differences among different dispatch disciplines, the effect of dispatching on interoperability, case studies investigating the operations of several different models of PSAP consolidation, and a theoretical case study involving inter-discipline and intra-discipline consolidation of PSAPs in King County, Washington. A survey of nine PSAPs of various sizes, types, and regions was conducted to determine their capabilities in voice and operational interoperability, how often opportunities to take advantage of that interoperability were encountered, and finally, to what extent interoperability was exercised when those opportunities did present themselves. The findings indicated intra-discipline interoperability (fire-to-fire or law enforcement-to-law enforcement) is not only intuitively of more value than inter-discipline interoperability (law enforcement-to-fire) but is actually prioritized by PSAPs in their day-to-day operations. Given that PSAP consolidation is occurring, the conclusion of this thesis is that interoperability within disciplines can be best improved by consolidating PSAPs by discipline while still realizing the benefits of geographic consolidation."

Command, Control, and Interoperability Center for Advanced Data Analysis (CCICADA) is a Department of Homeland Security Center or Excellence. "Our Work: focuses on algorithmic methods for challenging problems in data analysis that address present and emerging homeland security threats. Our Mission is to provide powerful analytical tools for information sharing, collaboration & decision support for a diverse workforce - now and for the future. Our Applications: [1] Critical infrastructure protection [2] Syndromic surveillance for natural and man-caused diseases [3] Inspection of containers at ports [4] Identification of authors from text [5] Protection against invasive species [6] Customs and border protection operations [7] Defense against threats to cyber infrastructure and data [8] Data management in emergency situations [9] Risk analysis [10] Non-intrusive data gathering techniques"

"The IAB [InterAgency Board] is a voluntary collaborative panel of emergency preparedness and response practitioners from a wide array of professional disciplines that represent all levels of government and the voluntary sector. The IAB provides a structured forum for the exchange of ideas among operational, technical, and support organizations to improve national preparedness and promote interoperability and compatibility among local, state, and federal response communities. Based on direct field experience, IAB members advocate for and assist the development and implementation of performance criteria, standards, test protocols, and technical, operating, and training requirements for all-hazards incident response equipment with a special emphasis on Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive [CBRNE] issues. The IAB also informs broader emergency preparedness and response policy, doctrine, and practice. The mission of the InterAgency Board is to strengthen the nation's ability to prepare for and respond safely and effectively to emergencies, disasters, and CBRNE incidents."

"SAFECOM is managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Through collaboration with emergency responders and elected officials across all levels of government, SAFECOM works to improve emergency response providers' inter-jurisdictional and interdisciplinary emergency communications interoperability across local, regional, tribal, state, territorial, international borders, and with federal government entities. SAFECOM works with existing federal communications programs and key emergency response stakeholders to address the need to develop better technologies and processes for the coordination of existing communications systems and future networks. Through these partnerships, SAFECOM has created key documents such as the Interoperability Continuum, the Statement of Requirements (SoR) for baseline communications and interoperability standards, the Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP) Methodology, and the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP) to assist emergency responders nationwide with improving communications and interoperability."

Simulation Interoperability Standards Organization (SISO) focuses on facilitating simulation interoperability and component reuse across the DoD, other government, and non-government applications and seeks to serve the broad M&S [modeling and simulation] community.