NIST publishes security guidelines for first responders mobile and wearable devices for public consultation

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published a draft report titled NISTIR 8235, Security Guidance for First Responder Mobile and Wearable Devices for public consultation. According to the paper, public safety officials will soon have access to smartphones, tablets, and wearables as part of their work. These devices offer new ways for first responders to do their work, but they also pose new security vulnerabilities. This paper provides an overview of the current public safety capabilities of mobile and wearable devices, and guidance for creating secure mobile and wearable devices specifically for public safety. This document includes the following: (a) a list of tests developed to analyse public safety mobile and wearable devices, (b) a collection of best practices and guidance for public safety mobile and wearable devices. The goal is to guide jurisdictions on how to select and purchase secure devices and to assist the industry in creating secure devices for first responders. The deadline for public comments is 30 November 2020.