Conferences and Workshops
Enhancing New York City's and the Nation's Emergency Telecommunications Infrastructure
The Resilient Networking Project has applied for government funding of an extensive 5-year research program with goals of new technology for resilient communications and technical and policy recommendations for an updated New York City emergency networking plan. In pursuit of these goals, Columbia University, City College of New York, and Polytechnic University will collaborate with New York City, State and national emergency communication planning agencies, with emergency services agencies such as the Fire and Police Departments, and with telecommunication manufacturers and operators.
This research program is unique in its attention to the convergence of technology, policy, and business strategies. The Columbia University Business School is joining with the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Departments of Columbia, Polytechnic, and City College in studies of the interaction of technology, public policy, and business strategies for the realization of resilience in the communications infrastructure
Most of this research will be carried out in a New York Resilient Networks Testbed that will give hands-on opportunities to government officials, firefighters, and others to evaluate new technologies and operational modes for resilient emergency networking. This is defined as networking that can survive and serve the emergency needs of rescue personnel, officials, and ordinary citizens despite damage and very large demand. The testbed work will be closely integrated with an extensive scholarly research program on ad-hoc networking, integration of Internet communication systems with public network services, countering cyber attacks on communications infrastructure, and other relevant topics.
The recommendations expected to come out of this activity include a new strategy for mutual aid among diverse carriers and network operators including telephony, cellular mobile, Internet Service Provider, and private data networks such as wireless LANs. The emergency services will be coordinated by an Emergency Services Provider realized through coordinated management and control of these different communications entities.
Although focused on New York City as an example, the results will be applicable to virtually all metropolitan areas and to the resilience and security of the national communications infrastructure.