The Independent Communications Authority of SA (ICASA) will play an instrumental role in safeguarding operations at COP17.
The 17th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, or 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17), kicked off yesterday at the Chief Albert Luthuli International Conference Centre (ICC), in Durban, and will run until 9 December.
As part of the priority committee for the event, ICASA will provide technical support to the South African Police Service (SAPS) by deploying a team of inspectors to assist with pertinent safety and security issues, including:
* Interference detection and location in critical radio networks.
* Monitoring of user-specific radio services, such as emergency services, tactical communications channels of the SAPS and South African National Defence Force,
* National Intelligence Agency, air traffic control, radar and GSM networks, for interference.
* Assistance in the homing of vehicle tracking systems.
* Tracking of covert transmitters used for eavesdropping and industrial espionage.
* Co-ordination of GSM operators for network shutdown in the event of a terrorist attack.
* Assistance in licence applications.
* Setting up of contingency plans for security-based radio networks.
* Cross-functional communications systems and operating procedures.
The priority committee operates within Natjoints - which forms part of the Justice Crime Prevention and Security cluster of government, established to manage safety and security during high profile events in SA - and Provjoints.
ICASA says the purpose of its participation in COP17 is ultimately to ensure the safety and security of all VIPs, delegates, participants and other stakeholders. It aims to provide an incident-free event by establishing stringent security measures, limiting the impact of incidents with contingency planning, and limiting the probability of incidents occurring.
ICASA noted yesterday that the coverage of the United Nations (UN) repeater was deficient, with dead spots in certain areas at the ICC. “UN officials have, in the meantime, been using their simplex channel to communicate, but cannot get full coverage within their operational area. The authority is working hard to ensure that all communication needs are in order.”
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