LVMPD Institutes New Safeguard Measures Following Disruption of 911 Services
Metro to Add Additional Call Center
Las Vegas, NV - February 16, 2016- Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department officials have instituted several new components to its 911 system to provide multiple lines of defense, including an additional call center to safeguard against a future disruption in service like the one that occurred on February 2.
LVMPD and its partner Airbus worked to determine the cause of the disruption, which was most likely a broadcast storm--a term defined as a continuous feedback loop of data that overwhelms the system. There is no definitive determination as to what caused the broadcast storm since restoration of the system erased any information that would have provided useful analysis.
LVMPD is now instituting several changes that will create more layers of protection, which include:
- Upgrading hardware to increase the speed of how quickly calls can be sent to alternative call centers;
- Adding a back-up telephone line located in the main communications center should the first set of telephone lines fail;
- Setting up a satellite emergency phone center that may be used as a temporary call center; and
- Creating an additional call center.
LVMPD also analyzed best practices and changed protocols within the call center to include:
- Enhanced monitoring of the system by Airbus;
- Restricted access to the server room and network;
- Installation of locks on all equipment cabinets;
- Strict protocols from vendors entering and working inside the center; and
- Prohibiting employees from connecting outside devices to computers.
All of the protocols are currently in place, with the exception of the additional call center, which is expected to be up and running within 60 days.
Source: http://www.lvmpd.com/
