Hybrid Workplace Security Challenges & E911
Recently, VP of Product Jaz Lin joined UC Today for a round table discussion on “Securing the Hybrid Workplace.” Alongside a panel of fellow industry experts, Jaz tackled questions and offered insights into how enterprises can address security concerns that arise when workplaces adopt remote and hybrid work models.
In the hybrid workplace, employees work from various locations – the office, at home, on the road, in shared workspaces, etc. This setup can complicate consistent accessibility to essential services and leave corporate networks and data vulnerable. Further, companies might have multiple unified communications and collaboration solutions running in tandem across different locations, underscoring the need for seamless, secure integration of diverse technologies.
Working with a wide range of enterprises that maintain complex environments and have varying needs, Intrado's E911 experts have a deep understanding of the scale of these challenges. Every day, they work with clients to alleviate the burden of E911 call routing, location management, and regulatory compliance with a unified E911 solution that operates across various UC and UCaaS platforms. It’s secure, compliant, and easy to manage – regardless of where users are or what devices they use – giving IT departments one less challenge to overcome.
Following are some of the topics covered in the round table. You can see Jaz’s full responses over at UC Today.
Regulatory Compliance
E911 regulations include Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’S Act at the federal level as well as other state-imposed requirements. These regulations are designed to ensure people can reach the correct 911 center and help first responders find that person easily.
Regulations, including the requirement to provide a dispatchable location (beyond a company HQ address), apply not only to onsite workers, but to those working from home or in the field. Employees must be protected during an emergency regardless of where they are working or what device is being used.
Intrado E911 solutions ensure a dispatchable location is automatically transmitted with a 911 call and help get calls to the correct public safety answering point – even when callers are using a softphone or if they change work locations frequently.
Safety, Security, and User Experience
In the article, Jaz stressed the importance of balancing “the needs of end users and telecom managers with regulatory obligations to ensure workers and your business are protected.” FCC MLTS/VoIP regulations include coverage for remote workers and softphone users, and it is essential for an E911 solution to be easy for end users and IT managers alike.
“A unified E911 solution that works across various UC and UCaaS platforms, regardless of how complex your environment is, is one way you can streamline your environment," she stated. Intrado delivers "a single, secure, and easy-to-manage solution for all employees – regardless of platform, device, or location – while complying with all state and federal regulations.”
Our E911 solutions integrate smoothly with existing UC and UCaaS systems and work seamlessly across various devices and locations, making it easier to manage E911 across the enterprise. Meanwhile, hybrid and remote employees have freedom of movement without compromising compliance, safety, or ease of use with a handy self-provisioning tool when a new work location is detected.
Emerging Trends
Jaz also noted some technologies that are reshaping workplace safety and emergency management in today’s workplaces. For instance, NG911 is being adopted by more states, improving the emergency response network infrastructure and enhancing public safety with supplemental data capabilities. For the enterprise, that can mean data like structure maps and z-axis which aid in response.
She mentioned tools like Intrado Safety Suite and our Wearable Panic Button, which are growing beyond school safety use cases and making headway into the enterprise. With these solutions, you can initiate a 911 response from anywhere you work with the press of a button, deliver customized notifications, and instantly lockdown buildings. Further, these tools store and share critical data, like floor plans, SOPs, ERPs, and more, giving first responders key information to facilitate a more informed response.
Proactive Preparation Leads to More Positive Outcomes
Hybrid and remote work are here to stay, so organizations must meet the demand and protect offsite workers. Intrado solutions ensure compliance, integrate seamlessly with existing systems, and enhance safety by providing actionable data for emergency responses – even when working hybrid or remote.
It's about more than compliance - ensuring employee safety is every company's duty of care. You can learn more about the state of E911 compliance and your duty of care in our latest whitepaper. If you're ready to get proactive and need help navigating the challenges of E911, contact our team today for more information.
