Dispatch Technology Grows and so Does Threat of Hackers

The United States is experiencing a dispatch technology, computer-aided dispatch, and Next Generation 911 crisis. Be assured, that isn’t merely our opinion. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler reported that to Congress earlier this year. According to Wheeler, “Public safety, as embodied by 911, is dangerously close to a crisis as the digital world passes it by—21st Century life saving is being blocked by 20th Century technology.”

U.S. Senator, Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), maybe explained the situation best, “a call to 911 remains the most [important] call any of us will ever make.” When you need fire, police, or EMT support, chances are you don’t want to rely on outdated, troublesome legacy systems that are well past their effective usefulness. Is this really a problem?

The following is one example, emphasis on “one”, whereby dispatchers in San Francisco faced formidable complications with their technology. Late in 2015, and into early 2016, the Computer Aided Dispatch systems experienced a computer failure at various times. As a result, dispatch personnel were unable to communicate address information to first responders. A problem, yes?

If only outdated, low-tech systems were the only relevant concerns for dispatch communications, first responders, and citizens. Unfortunately, there lurks a multitude of nefarious, bad actors aiming to wreak havoc. If you visit our blog, or listen to these two episodes of ‘The Big Bid Theory’ podcast, you’re aware that we’ve reported broadly on the topics of information security, cyberterrorism, etc…

Lance Hayden, a former CIA spy, and info security expert, spoke 1) about the importance of security and on the recent attacks, and 2) how you can protect your systems and the future of cyberterror. Without question, we aren’t the only people discussing and reporting on these topics. As reported in the Washington Post as recently as September, 2016, the 911 systems aren’t immune to the threat of hackers. To read the story, ‘How America’s 911 emergency response system can be hacked’.

That takes us to what is being done currently by the U.S. public sector. While professionals throughout law enforcement and information technology continue to address and grapple with the cyberterrorism component, governments are soliciting and upgrading and/or purchasing modern systems. In the following data, we look back at the past twelve months of procurement activity.

Since November 2015, there have been 620 government bid requests related to dispatch technology, computer-aided dispatch, and Next Generation 911

While associated solicitations are being generated broadly from across the country, to the right are the five U.S. regions which have submitted the highest numbers of bid requests. BidPrime, the industry leader in the government bid database and research industry, identified and reported that California, Florida, Virginia, Georgia, and Texas are the leading U.S. states. As noted, the data was derived from a query, and subsequent report, was based on an analysis of the past twelve months.

Note that the market analysis generated can by adjusted to any time period desired by the requester. Although not listed in this graphic, the market analysis also provides a detailed listing of applicable bid requests / RFPs submitted by state, local, federal, and Canadian agencies. As before, that criteria can be modified as well, based on the needs of the requester.

The bid requests aren’t isolated to the state and local areas within the public sector purchasing spectrum. While the overall numbers are below those of state and local, federal organizations and agencies are actively involved in the solicitation, purchasing, and implementation of pertinent solutions as well. Over the time period analyzed, the breakdown was 508 state and local requests to 112 federal solicitations. Here are the leading federal departments in the chart to the right.

As above, the market analysis generated can by adjusted to any time period desired by the requester. Although not listed in this graphic, the market analysis also provides a detailed listing of applicable bid requests / RFPs submitted by state, local, federal, and Canadian agencies. As before, that criteria can be modified as well, based on the needs of the requester.

Sample Active Bids/RFPs

Dispatch Technology

In the coming weeks and months, we will continue to monitor and report on this very important topic. If you live and work in an area that is taking proactive measures, you and your neighbors are fortunate. If your town is still operating with outdated, failing systems, it may be time to ask questions.

For more information, visit BidPrime or call us at 888.808.5356.