The talkgroups recently changed for PSERN in King County, Washington State, so I submitted a public information request and received the following reply. They actually sent me three pages of redacted info (attached). This doesn't seem correct. They must not realize that bad actors can figure this stuff out quite easily:
In accordance with RCW 42.56.520 I am acknowledging receipt of your request and providing the responsive records. However, these records are redacted based on the following exemptions.
The PSERN Operator has a Talkgroup listing which is exempt from disclosure pursuant to RCW 42.56.420 for security purposes. The public disclosure of the PSERN Talkgroup information would endanger the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our information technology and telecommunications infrastructure because a member of the public could use this information to interfere with public safety communications during response to an emergency incident, including terrorist acts. Accordingly, these listings are exempt under RCW 42.56.420 (1) and (4) on the following bases:
(1) Talkgroup listings are “portions of records assembled, prepared, or maintained to prevent, mitigate, or respond to criminal terrorist acts”, and
(4) Talkgroup listings are “Information regarding the public and private infrastructure and security of computer and telecommunications networks, consisting of security passwords, security access codes and programs, access codes for secure software applications, security and service recovery plans, security risk assessments, and security test results to the extent that they identify specific system vulnerabilities, and other such information the release of which may increase risk to the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of security, information technology infrastructure, or assets.”
Based on these exemptions, we have redacted the Talkgroup listings from the attached documents related to the PSERN Talkgroup ID list.
PSERN now considers your request fulfilled and closed. If you believe that PSERN has misconstrued your request in any manner, please respond to me with the bases of your contentions so that we may work together to resolve any concerns.
Best regards,
Tracey M. Doss
Administrator | Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator
O: (253) 346-0848 | www.psern.org
In accordance with RCW 42.56.520 I am acknowledging receipt of your request and providing the responsive records. However, these records are redacted based on the following exemptions.
The PSERN Operator has a Talkgroup listing which is exempt from disclosure pursuant to RCW 42.56.420 for security purposes. The public disclosure of the PSERN Talkgroup information would endanger the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our information technology and telecommunications infrastructure because a member of the public could use this information to interfere with public safety communications during response to an emergency incident, including terrorist acts. Accordingly, these listings are exempt under RCW 42.56.420 (1) and (4) on the following bases:
(1) Talkgroup listings are “portions of records assembled, prepared, or maintained to prevent, mitigate, or respond to criminal terrorist acts”, and
(4) Talkgroup listings are “Information regarding the public and private infrastructure and security of computer and telecommunications networks, consisting of security passwords, security access codes and programs, access codes for secure software applications, security and service recovery plans, security risk assessments, and security test results to the extent that they identify specific system vulnerabilities, and other such information the release of which may increase risk to the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of security, information technology infrastructure, or assets.”
Based on these exemptions, we have redacted the Talkgroup listings from the attached documents related to the PSERN Talkgroup ID list.
PSERN now considers your request fulfilled and closed. If you believe that PSERN has misconstrued your request in any manner, please respond to me with the bases of your contentions so that we may work together to resolve any concerns.
Best regards,
Tracey M. Doss
Administrator | Puget Sound Emergency Radio Network Operator
O: (253) 346-0848 | www.psern.org
