Department of Homeland Security Joins Network Centric Operations Industy Consortium

Kim GibbonsCiscoPhone: 408-525-4909Email Kim Gibbons
Gareth JonesThalesPhone: +33 6 07 33 92 90Email Gareth Jones
For release: 14 May 2007

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Joins Network Centric Operations Industry Consortium
Washington, DC – May 14, 2007 – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has joined the Network Centric Operations Industry Consortium (NCOIC™) as a member. NCOIC is working to enable network-centric operations within and between all levels of governments and civil agencies by creating and advocating tools that will enhance development of network centric capabilities and enabling systems. As events such as September 11, 2001, and Katrina have proven, the ability for first responders to access and share essential information is critical for saving lives and property. DHS will be working with other members of the NCOIC on issues hampering first responders from developing a shared operational picture in an emergency situation. “Interoperability is critical to the ability of our Nation’s emergency responders to successfully respond to day-to-day incidents and large-scale emergencies. Ineffective communications risks the lives of responders in the field, and can mean the difference between life and death for those awaiting help,” says Jay M. Cohen, Under Secretary for DHS’s Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate. “First responders must be able to quickly and easily access the information they need from government agencies, other response organizations and the private sector when and where they need it,” states Lt. Gen Harry D. Raduege, Jr., USAF (Ret) of Deloitte & Touche LLP and NCOIC Chairman. “Common standards for voice and data communications are critical to developing such capabilities. The addition of DHS as a member of NCOIC further validates the importance of industry and government working in concert to develop a common framework for network centric operations.”NCOIC is establishing the technical approaches that will support interoperability across all levels of government departments, from first responders and local authorities to regional- and national-level military services. Earlier this year, the Consortium announced its next set of network-centric operations interoperability deliverables – its first Protocol Functional Collection (PFC) and its Mobile Emergency Communications Interoperability (MECI) report. The NCOIC’s approach complements major international government and industry architectural and reference model initiatives. The PFC and MECI report are available at www.NCOIC.org. These new products complement the Network Centric Interoperability Framework (NIF) and the Network Centric Analysis Tool (NCAT) delivered last year. About DHSEstablished in 2003, DHS is working to secure the Nation by preventing and deterring terrorist attacks; protecting against and responding to threats and hazards to the Nation; and ensuring and securing borders. In support of this mission, the Department’s S&T Directorate provides local, tribal, state, and Federal agencies with the technologies and resources needed to fulfill their mission-critical duties. Specifically, the S&T Directorate’s Office for Interoperability and Compatibility is working with emergency responders and Federal partners to advance interoperability for emergency response agencies across all levels of government. For more information about DHS interoperability initiatives, visit www.safecomprogram.gov. About NCOICThe Network Centric Operations Industry Consortium (NCOIC) is a not-for-profit multinational corporation committed to integrating existing and emerging open standards into a common evolving global framework, employing a common set of principles and processes, to assist with rapid global deployment of network-centric applications. Established in 2004, NCOIC consists of representatives from defense companies, large-scale systems integrators, information technology providers, government agencies and academia working in concert with advisory bodies consisting of government officials, standards groups and other stakeholders. For more information, visit www.NCOIC.org