ATIS Exploring Solutions to GPS Security Vulnerabilities
WASHINGTON — ATIS announced today the launch of a work effort to identify technologies that could provide a backup to the Global Positioning System (GPS) for time and frequency transport and delivery. This initiative addresses the need to free North American communications networks from their critical dependence on GPS-derived timing. GPS facilitates the precise synchronization of networks operated by different network providers and provides a means of meeting national and international telecom network synchronization standards. Yet it is subject to potential compromise by jamming, spoofing or interference from other radio-based technologies. ATIS’ Copper/Optical Access, Synchronization, and Transport Committee (COAST) will consider alternatives to the current GPS-based system, including fiber-based time and frequency transfer solutions and terrestrial radio technologies operating in a spectrum less subject to interference. This initiative is a proactive, industry-driven effort to assist the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in its investigations on this issue.
“By bringing the COAST Committee’s synch experience to identifying a GPS backup, this ATIS work will deliver the solutions needed to ensure reliability of North American telecommunications networks — part of the nation’s critical infrastructure as defined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security,” said ATIS President and CEO Susan M. Miller.
For more information or to learn about becoming part of this work, contact ATIS Manager, Global Standards Development, Jackie Voss, at jvoss@atis.org.
About ATIS
ATIS is the leading technology and standards development organization committed to advancing the global information and communications technology (ICT) industry through market-driven solutions. Nearly 200 companies actively engage in ATIS’ committees and forums, providing the technical leadership to address ICT’s leading challenges. Current committee work is focused on industry priorities including cloud services, IP-based and wireless technologies, quality of service, billing and operational support, emergency services, IPTV, energy efficiency, architectural platforms and emerging networks. In addition, numerous incubators, focus and exploratory groups address evolving industry priorities including over-the-top applications, cybersecurity, ehealth, the transition of the PSTN, device solutions and machine-to-machine communications.
ATIS is the North American Organizational Partner for the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), a member and major U.S. contributor to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio and Telecommunications’ Sectors, and a member of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL). ATIS is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). For more information, please visit www.atis.org.
