Frequently Asked Questions about CIP Information Sharing

What are EMR-ISAC CIP INFOGRAMS?

Critical Infrastructure Protection INFOGRAMs are distributed weekly to provide members of the Emergency Services Sector with information regarding the protection of their internal critical infrastructures.

What are EMR-ISAC CIP Bulletins?

Critical Infrastructure Protection Bulletins are specifically for members of the Emergency Services Sector. The bulletins contain important, timely information of a non-sensitive nature that will not wait to be summarized in the next weekly INFOGRAM.

What is Critical Infrastructure Protection?

Critical Infrastructure Protection pertains to the proactive activities for protecting the personnel, physical assets, and communication/cyber systems so vital to the operations of the United States that their incapacity or destruction will seriously weaken national security, economic stability, or public safety. CIP methods and resources prevent or protect against attacks on critical infrastructures by people (e.g., terrorists, other criminals, hackers, etc.), by nature (e.g., hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, etc.), and by HazMat accidents involving nuclear, biological, or chemical substances.

What are Critical Infrastructures?

Critical infrastructures of the emergency services are those personnel, physical assets, and communication/cyber systems that are essential for the accomplishment of missions affecting life and property. They are the people, things, or systems that will seriously degrade or prevent survivability and mission success if not continuously intact and operational. Some examples of critical infrastructures for the Emergency Services Sector:

Police, firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and emergency managers.
Police, fire and EMS stations, apparatus, and communication/cyber systems.
Public Safety Answering Points (i.e., 9-1-1 Communications Centers).
Computer-aided dispatch and computer networks.
Pumping stations and water reservoirs for major urban areas.
Major roads and highways serving large population areas.
Bridges and tunnels serving large population areas.

Where can I learn more about Critical Infrastructure Protection?

More information on Critical Infrastructure Protection is available on the EMR-ISAC Web site.