Mobile security moving to the forefront? Extending central station monitoring beyond the home

MobileTREC solutions work with both smartphones and traditional mobile phones and address a 2010 call to action from the FCC. After the Virginia Tech shootings—during which students allegedly attempted unsuccessfully to send text messages to 911—the FCC called for companies to begin developing and implementing NG911 technologies, which would incorporate text messaging, video and other multimedia into 911 calling. Companies like MobileTREC andNICE listened and began R&D efforts.

MobileTrec CEO Don Ferguson said the company is positioned to help bring mobile security to the mainstream.

“Every single cell phone out there has a different camera and a different version of an operating system, so we’re kind of in beta,” Ferguson said, addressing the MobileTREC solutions’ ability to deliver live video via mobile phone camera to the central station. “Also, PSAPs are heavily regulated, so we’ve made sure we could deliver to the PSAP. There were no standards at all for delivering a true mobile solution for personal safety to 911, so we’re working with public safety organizations on pioneering these standards to govern mobile delivery of data to the PSAP for NG911.”

In addition to working with MobileTREC on possible standards and protocols for this kind of mobile, monitored solution, De Marco said he is also currently looking at other mobile security solutions from companies like RUOK (pronounced “are you okay”).

“The functionality of this stuff is, ‘Where are you and do you need help?’” De Marco said. “The concerns going forward are going to be reliability, ability to monetize the service, and how easily the new technology can be integrated into the automation platform at the central station.”