[Asterisk-biz] voip e911 and homeland security

[Paul]

Andres wrote:

> 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.
>

Problem now gets worse if terrorist hackers can get in. Because of the 
gps data the emergency dispatchers are more convinced the call is valid.

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