NG9-1-1 Interoperability Oversight Commission Announces Revised Subscription Fees for NG9-1-1 Public Key Infrastructure
The NG9-1-1 Interoperability Oversight Commission (NIOC) is pleased to announce a revised implementation strategy and lower annual subscription fees for the NG9-1-1 Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). This updated approach extends customizable implementation options for 9-1-1 Authorities, Next Generation Core Service Providers, Governmental, and Commercial entities involved in emergency call handling.
PKI is the critical component that enables trusteed communications among NG9-1-1 systems and jurisdictions. It is a comprehensive framework that contains the set of roles, policies, and procedures needed to manage, distribute, create, store, and use and revoke digital certificates. Digital certificates are essential for establishing trusted communications among 9-1-1 entities by verifying identity and providing secure data transmission. Further information regarding digital certificates can be found in NIOC’s Certificate Policy. It is available at: https://ng911ioc.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/NG9-1-1-PKI-CP-v1.2.docx
The shared root of trust within the PKI allows one element to authenticate another as a legitimate 9-1-1 entity. This enhances the efficiency of call transfers between Emergency Services IP Networks (ESInets) and facilitates queries across ESInets. The security offered by the PKI is unique to NG9-1-1 and fully complies with the NENA i3 Standard for Next Generation 9-1-1. More information regarding NG9-1-1 security can be found in NENA’s i3 Standard and is available here: https://www.nena.org/resource/resmgr/standards/NENA-STA-010.3e-2021_i3_Stan.pdf
“We expect to see tens of millions of Americans benefitting from 9-1-1 systems that adopt the PCA this fiscal year,” says NIOC Chair, Steve McMurrer. “We have states and core services providers who have been waiting to adopt as soon as we’ve reached today’s milestone.”
The NIOC is the independent oversight governance body for the NG9-1-1 Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Forest Guide, and other technical-interoperability services necessary for interoperability and security in NG9-1-1. The updated fees will be included in the next version of NIOC’s Financial Model and published on NIOC’s website. Additional information about NIOC is available at ng911ioc.org.