DHS Announces PNT Study

Yesterday the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and DHS National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD published a brief notice in the Federal Register (81 FR 65390) announcing a study to define and validate current and future positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) requirements for critical infrastructure. The requirements defined and validated by the study will support key decisions in the development of complementary PNT solutions.

The announcement notes that:

“Accurate PNT is essential for critical infrastructures across the country. Currently, the Global Positioning System (GPS) is the primary source of PNT information. However, GPS signals are susceptible to both unintentional and intentional disruption leaving critical infrastructure vulnerable to operational impacts from disruptions. Due to the essential need for precise timing within many of the critical infrastructure sectors, DHS will initially focus the study on timing requirements within the electricity and wireless communications sectors. Subsequently, DHS will engage additional sectors and expand the study to include positioning and navigation requirements.”

DHS is currently soliciting participants in the electricity and wireless communications sector. Interested parties should contact John Dragseth, NPPD, DHS, John.Dragseth@dhs.gov, 703-235-9467; or Sarah Mahmood, S&T, DHS, Sarah.Mahmood@hq.dhs.gov, 202-254-6721.