What to monitor (federally) in a cyber conflict.

[howie38]

Given the present climate with Russia. If this got into a severe cyber conflict, shutting down utilities, banking & communications for who knows how long.
What would be your go to monitoring federal wise? I'd be particularly interested in southern New Jersey.

 

[captainmax1]

That's a good question. Keep your analog radios ready. All the Federal entities are listed in Radio Reference. I'm sure more knowledgeable members will chime in with more info.

 

[Whiskey3JMC]

Pretty sure most coms will be heavily encrypted...

 

[prcguy]

I think all the juicy comms will be over landline phone. You will have to find the telco demark on the outside of a federal building and probe all the circuits with a butt set. We'll be hear waiting to see what you can pick up.

Given the present climate with Russia. If this got into a severe cyber conflict, shutting down utilities, banking & communications for who knows how long.
What would be your go to monitoring federal wise? I'd be particularly interested in southern New Jersey.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I think all the juicy comms will be over landline phone. You will have to find the telco demark on the outside of a federal building and probe all the circuits with a butt set. We'll be hear waiting to see what you can pick up.

Better to find a pole a few hundred feet away and climb it with your PPE gear and do so in plain site. It helps to knock out a line or two in the area so folks will ask you when their service will be restored.

 

[howie38]

That's a good question. Keep your analog radios ready. All the Federal entities are listed in Radio Reference. I'm sure more knowledgeable members will chime in with more info.

Yeah, I think the digital traffic may get compromised if it somehow relies on internet support. I've just spent the day downloading all my FD/PD/EMS programs for the scanners onto a flash drive. Along with a full copy of what's on my 996P2 and even did a full alternate program of all pertinent State/Fed/Mil analog frequencies along with Local Fire/EMS system. All set with quick keys & screen colors. I can just purge everything from the 996 and upload the new disaster programing in one quick shot. Also added a copy of FreeScan in case I have to switch to another operating PC. Also did the same for the 436HP just in case.

 

[GlobalNorth]

There is nothing to monitor OTA in a cyber conflict. Unless you have access to certain AT&T facilities and clearances for certain programs, you'll never hear anything flash, critical, urgent, important, FOUO, or related.

 

[ecps92]

If you begin to hear something, take note - "it is too late"

Given the present climate with Russia. If this got into a severe cyber conflict, shutting down utilities, banking & communications for who knows how long.
What would be your go to monitoring federal wise? I'd be particularly interested in southern New Jersey.

 

[drdispatch]

Don't look directly at the flash.

 

[howie38]

I think all the juicy comms will be over landline phone. You will have to find the telco demark on the outside of a federal building and probe all the circuits with a butt set. We'll be hear waiting to see what you can pick up.

Even landlines rely on cyber controls.

 

[howie38]

Ok, let's expand the conversation a little.....
My county & I guess the whole state now uses the APCO P25 trunk system. Are the portable & mobile radios able to communicate directly to each other or do they have to go through a tower that may be compromised from a cyber pandemic?

 

[howie38]

Pretty sure most coms will be heavily encrypted...

State & Federal don't seem to be, all still on analog. At least I'm assuming they can't be encrypted.

 

[ecps92]

Not many Feds in the NJ/PA/NYC area still using analog

State & Federal don't seem to be, all still on analog. At least I'm assuming they can't be encrypted.

 

[ecps92]

And to add a learning curve, if you don't regularly listen to agency xyz, you won't know/understand what is normal ops vs an event

You should always be familiar with the users in your neighborhood.

Given the present climate with Russia. If this got into a severe cyber conflict, shutting down utilities, banking & communications for who knows how long.
What would be your go to monitoring federal wise? I'd be particularly interested in southern New Jersey.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Not many Feds in the NJ/PA/NYC area still using analog

Not many feds any where are still on analog

 

[ecps92]

Not quite true.
USFS is still traditionally Analog, with a few exceptions and their LE Units
VA [Varies by region] Hospitals - Maint / Engineering / Transport/ Safety [VA PD is generally P25E)

Not many feds any where are still on analog

 

[RaleighGuy]

Not quite true.

VA [Varies by region] Hospitals - Maint / Engineering / Transport/ Safety [VA PD is generally P25E)

Thanks for that, can't speak on USFS, but in my area VA is P25 P1 and P2 with VA PD in Durham using our state's VIPER system in the clear.

 

[Ravenfalls]

Ok, let's expand the conversation a little.....
My county & I guess the whole state now uses the APCO P25 trunk system. Are the portable & mobile radios able to communicate directly to each other or do they have to go through a tower that may be compromised from a cyber pandemic?

Yes, that is all factored into basic programming & system building. Some systems have fallback modes. Other agencies have conventional repeater that are P25 & encrypted. Some have both. Solar & generator backups options.

First Net has portable cell networks that are based in each state to deploy. They block non public safety users as this cell tower is public safety only.

Many agencies use Satellite phones. Lots of options!

 

[howie38]

Not many Feds in the NJ/PA/NYC area still using analog

Hey, all I can do is download what's on RR and it's all analog for anything Fed or military.

 

[howie38]

Yes, that is all factored into basic programming & system building. Some systems have fallback modes. Other agencies have conventional repeater that are P25 & encrypted. Some have both. Solar & generator backups options.

First Net has portable cell networks that are based in each state to deploy. They block non public safety users as this cell tower is public safety only.

Many agencies use Satellite phones. Lots of options!

My reasoning for this question is I'm figuring a tower, repeater etc, probably has an internet connection so it can be monitored & adjusted remotely. And with what's rumored about a cyber war with Russia, it may get infected. Cyber folks & hackers will tell you that once a virus is sent, there's no knowing where else it'll go.