[Asterisk-biz] voip e911 and homeland security

[Andres]

Paul wrote:

> I just keep wondering if the FCC has considered homeland security 
> issues in formulating its recent  rulings. Abuse of the 911 system 
> could cause disruptions in emergency services. Even worse, such abuse 
> could be used to divert emergency service resources away from a 
> planned attack location.
>
> Do you suppose that hackers might be able to make 911 calls that 
> appear to come from subscribers? Will the proposed implementations 
> clearly indicate to the dispatcher that he is getting a voip-based 
> call rather than a landline? At least that way they might immediately 
> see that multiple calls coming in at the same time are all from voip 
> subscribers.
>
> Some of the common vulnerabilities I observe in small home/office 
> networks lead me to believe the possibilities are strong. I see 
> nothing in the FCC rulings that mandate good security for the 
> subscriber ATA/IP-phone/Softphone
>
I think Voip 911 should work similarly to Cell Phone 911.  ATAs and IP 
Phones would have an embedded GPS receiver that pinpoints the location 
of the subscriber when he makes that 911 call.  Anyone that calls 911 
with a GPS position outside the US would be blocked.  This would also 
eliminate the need for users to make cumbersome updates via phone or 
web.  Asking humans to keep their location up to date is just 
ridiculous.  I can see Junior ordering a Vonage line and Grandma calling 
911 from that line a few months later.  Its a recipe for disaster.

Massive implementation of GPS receivers in ATAs and IP Phones would cost 
just pennies per device.  Well worth it in my opinion.

Andres

>
> _______________________________________________
> Asterisk-Biz mailing list
> Asterisk-Biz at lists.digium.com
> http://lists.digium.com/mailman/listinfo/asterisk-biz
>
>