Communication
Wireless mesh networks based wireless networks, Exchange Servers, and other
You can even go one step further and set up an unlicenced Wi-Fi mesh. Again, corporate services.
these are becoming fixtures in metropolitan areas, but could also be used for
setting up even fairly large emergency networks. Another option is to use client Satellite communications
mesh networks which require no traditional infrastructure at all. Satellite technology is the only wireless
communications infrastructure that is not susceptible
Wireless disaster recovery command and control to damage from terrestrial disasters, because the
A key aspect of your disaster plan is the ability to rapidly mobilise disaster equipment sending and receiving signals (the satellite)
teams and the overall plan. Specialised systems and applications are available orbits above the Earth. Two types of satellite networks
that work with wireless handheld devices to perform activities such as large- support emergency activities: geostationary satellite
scale damage assessments and claims processing. systems (GEO) and low Earth orbit satellites (LEO).
Wireless access and service-control applications can facilitate the rapid This important reality makes it critical for public
establishment of a command and control centre that unifies recovery processing and private sector organisations to have access to
procedures among agencies participating in disaster recovery. Such applications satellite communications as they are not dependant on
can provides secure, reliable, always-on high speed wireless access, rapid terrestrial networks.
wireless mesh deployment, and a common platform for unification of Geostationary satellites are located 36,000 kms
interagency processing and communications. Wireless nodes can rapidly be above the Earth in a fixed position and cover up to
deployed into affected areas to extend coverage of high speed service control one third of the globe. They provide voice, video and
and data processing from a central command facility into the affected area. broadband data, and utilise ground equipment ranging
Furthermore, these applications can host any IP-based communications; from very large fixed gateway antennas down to mobile
this facilitates interoperability of command and control applications with
communications applications.
Today numerous systems and technologies are
available that make wireless a reliable solution for
emergency backup and response
Multiple cellular and wireless broadband providers
It’s a good idea to have multiple mobile phones, and to use different carriers for
each. Often, even in a major disaster, one carrier will emerge relatively healthy,
which ensures that some level of communications will be available. In addition
to the major wireless service providers, numerous smaller carriers provide
wireless broadband Internet service across the US.
Some smaller carriers do not require contracts or cabling and offer an easy
mean of connecting to the Internet. Such providers can offer unlimited 3G terminals the size of a mobile phone. Currently about
broadband access, making it possible to have email, and upload and download 300 orbiting GEO satellites are operated by global,
files from virtually anywhere in their service area. Most carriers offer a selection regional and national satellite carriers. Even before
of wireless USB modems, which are compatible with major operating systems disasters strike, these networks are used in many
like Windows 2000®, Windows XP®, Windows Vista™ and Mac Leopard. countries to provide seismic and flood-sensing data
to government agencies to enable early warning of
Wireless concierge services an impending situation. Also, they broadcast disaster-
Ever since the development of the OnStar service for motor vehicles back in warning notices and facilitate general communication
1997, millions of subscribers driving General Motors vehicles have access and information flow between government agencies,
to emergency voice communications in the event of a breakdown, accident, relief organisations and the public.
accidental lockout, or airbag deployment. It uses a combination of digital By contrast, LEO satellites operate in orbits between
cellular service and GPS technology. Employees who have OnStar service 780kms and 1,500kms (depending on the system) and
should have that fact added to their contact data in the database of contacts provide voice and low-speed data communications.
used for emergency response. These satellites can operate with handheld units about
the size of a large mobile phone. As with handheld
iPhones and other wireless devices terminals that rely upon GEO satellites, the highly
If you thought your iPhone was strictly for voice calling and entertainment, portable nature of LEO-based units makes them another
it can also be used for disaster recovery. iPhone 3G devices can connect valuable satellite solution for first responders in the
seamlessly to Microsoft Exchange™ and other standards-based servers for field.
corporate email, calendar, and contacts. Data integrity can be ensured with Handheld mobile satcoms: Once a disaster has
encrypted data in transmission, hardware encryption for data at rest, and occurred, local infrastructure – including microwave,
encrypted backups in iTunes. iPhone also supports Cisco IPSec, VPN and WPA2 cellular and other communications facilities – may
Enterprise for secure access to corporate networks. be disrupted, either because towers are destroyed, or
Deploying iPhones across an enterprise is easy with configuration profiles. because of power outages. In the aftermath of a disaster
e
Establish corporate pass code policies and settings with configuration that disrupts local communications, handheld satellite
profiles created and distributed via USB or over the air. With configuration telephone systems available from mobile satellite
profiles, you can remotely configure your company’s VPN, email and wireless operators may be the quickest solution. These systems
network settings, ensuring that each iPhone is secure and ready for business. provide access through very small, mobile-phone-sized
Configuration profiles also make it easy to install device restrictions and devices, as well as pagers and in-vehicle units.
s
tockphoto.com/lorrainedark
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certificates on iPhone for authentication to Cisco IPSec VPN servers, 802.1x- Satphone pricing can be as low as $40/week for a
January/February 2010  Continuity  
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