The Department of Homeland Security and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International have partnered to help the first responder community secure mobile applications.
DHS said Monday its science and technology directorate will offer funds and technical support to help APCO refine an evaluation program that will aid interoperability, reliability and security of public safety apps used by citizens and state and local agencies.
The partnership will build on efforts of DHS’ cybersecurity division and first responders group to secure mobile apps across the federal government as well as APCO’s efforts to educate app developers and determine security requirements for public safety users.
DHS added the collaboration seeks to engage public safety professionals, application developers and security experts through workshops, direct consultation and stakeholder events.
S&T began to fund Kryptowire in 2015 to support efforts to evaluate and protect mobile apps designed for first responders.
APCOÂ will work with Kryptowire to apply the latter’s app testing platform to public safety apps offered on AppComm — APCO’s repository of public safety and emergency response apps.
The nonprofit organization’s online mobile app store offers more than 200 apps for iOS and Android devices.
