Page 48 - Security Today, May/June 2019

Cover Story
current standards and/or incorporate the new enhancements should not be assumed, and investigated thoroughly. One should use caution when determining the best tool to secure that will allow you to make the full use of IPAWS and more importantly, one that will be your responsible partner in saving lives.
Test regularly after implementation. Once an emergency notifi- cation system is implemented, it’s important to make ongoing testing a part of the regular schedule as it provides organizations with insight on vulnerabilities and risks associated with emergency communica-
tions. This will help teams identify and try new methods to stream- line message transmissions. Testing can also help the community maintain its awareness about how they can expect to receive emer- gency messaging in case of an emergency. Not only is it important for administrators and recipients to understand the system and the technology, but this is also about building their confidence in inter- acting with it.
Preparedness is key. Preparedness is perhaps the most impor- tant element of having a successful public alerting system because having a good plan in place is the best way to combat unexpected emergency events. This includes determining who has permission to send out different messages and having outlines prepared that in- clude the purpose of the notification, succinct information and an outline for response options. A part of being prepared, ironically, is understanding that not every situation can be prepared for. Even when there isn’t enough the optimum amount of information avail- able, it’s important to still send out notifications telling citizens to protect themselves but lets them decide on the best plan of action based on their individual situation.
Time is of the essence when alerting the public rapidly and ac- curately. Social media can be a valuable channel for reaching citizens, but it is also the source of misinformation that can derail public safety and emergency response efforts.
Troy Harper is the general manager, Public Sector, at OnSolve.
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