The Communications and Cyber Resiliency Toolkit provides guidance for establishing resiliency measures, public safety communications can better withstand potential disruptions to service. This toolkit, developed by CISA, describes networks and systems critical to successful communication and cyber resiliency and possible threats while providing many resources and additional links for exploration.
Describe one network or system asset along with possible threats. Identify possible stakeholders to communicate with and what components would be part of an effective communication plan. Describe methods that could be used to assess the cyber resiliency of the select system or network.
Sample Answer
The Communications and Cyber Resiliency Toolkit provided by CISA highlights the interdependence of physical infrastructure and digital logic. To analyze these concepts, I will focus on the Land Mobile Radio (LMR) System, which is the backbone of emergency responder communications (Police, Fire, and EMS).
1. Network Asset and Possible Threats
Asset: Land Mobile Radio (LMR) Systems
LMR systems are terrestrial-based, wireless communications systems used by public safety agencies for critical "push-to-talk" voice communication. These systems rely on a network of physical towers, base stations, and backhaul links (often microwave or fiber).
Possible Threats
Physical Threats: Extreme weather events (hurricanes, ice storms) can damage tower structures or disrupt power supplies.
Cyber Threats: As LMR systems move from legacy analog to Internet Protocol (IP)-based digital systems, they become vulnerable to Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks on the network backbone or unauthorized access to the Radio Controller.
Interference: Intentional or unintentional radio frequency (RF) interference can jam channels, preventing "Officer Down" or "Mayday" calls from reaching dispatch.