Workshops Emergency Services Quantum-Safe Multi-Agency Interop

Emergency Services Full Day Workshop

Quantum-Safe Interoperability for Multi-Agency Response

A technical workshop for multi-agency coordination leads, interoperability architects, and shared services programme managers securing cross-agency data sharing and joint response infrastructure against quantum cryptographic threats.

Full day (6 hours + Q&A)

In person or online

Max 30 delegates

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Workshop Description

Multi-agency emergency response depends on encrypted information sharing between organisations that operate independent IT systems, procure on different timelines, and may be at different stages of PQC readiness. JESIP (Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles) requires structured information exchange (M/ETHANE, JDM) over encrypted channels. The Public Services Network (PSN), shared CAD systems, multi-agency airwave/ESN talk groups, and mutual aid data sharing all rely on cryptographic protocols that each participating agency must support. A PQC migration that breaks interoperability between police, fire, and ambulance during a major incident is worse than no migration at all.

This workshop maps the cryptographic interoperability dependencies across multi-agency emergency response: shared communications infrastructure (Airwave/ESN talk groups, MTPAS), information sharing platforms (ResilienceDirect, Airwave Solutions), shared dispatch systems (multi-force CAD), cross-domain data exchange (PSN, CJSM), and mutual aid agreements with their embedded cryptographic requirements. For each dependency, we assess the quantum vulnerability, identify the PQC migration constraint (which agency controls the cryptographic decisions), and design a coordinated migration sequence that maintains interoperability throughout. The workshop uses UK frameworks (JESIP, PSN, Home Office, NCSC) but the interoperability principles apply to any multi-agency emergency system.

What participants cover

JESIP information sharing encryption: M/ETHANE and Joint Decision Model data exchange channels, encrypted briefing distribution, and PQC migration for inter-agency communication
Public Services Network (PSN) cross-domain security: TLS and IPsec dependencies in PSN connectivity, certificate requirements, and coordinated PQC migration across connected agencies
Shared CAD system authentication: multi-force Computer Aided Dispatch platform security, operator authentication, and inter-CAD data exchange encryption under PQC
Mutual aid cryptographic protocols: radio interoperability (shared talk groups, patching), data sharing agreements, and ensuring PQC migration preserves mutual aid capability
Cross-agency PKI coordination: managing certificate authority migration when multiple agencies share trust infrastructure with different procurement and migration timelines
UK regulatory framework: Home Office critical communications security requirements, NCSC PQC guidance for public sector, and Cabinet Office resilience forum obligations

Preliminary Agenda

Full-day session structure with scheduled breaks. Content is configurable to your multi-agency partnership structure, shared infrastructure, and interoperability agreements.

#	Session	Topics
1	Multi-Agency Cryptographic Dependencies Where interoperability depends on shared cryptography
2	JESIP Information Sharing and Encrypted Channels M/ETHANE, JDM, and inter-agency data exchange	JESIP structured information exchange: M/ETHANE message encryption over Airwave/ESN, ResilienceDirect platform security, and encrypted briefing distribution Joint Decision Model data sharing: encrypted multi-agency situation reports and the cryptographic protocol requirements for real-time tactical coordination Multi-agency talk group security: shared Airwave/ESN talk groups, MTPAS (Mobile Telecommunication Privileged Access Scheme), and PQC implications for voice interoperability
Break, after 50 min
3	Shared Infrastructure Security PSN, shared CAD, and common platforms	PSN connectivity: TLS and IPsec tunnel security between agencies on the Public Services Network; coordinated certificate migration when agencies share PSN gateways Multi-force CAD systems: shared dispatch platform authentication (single sign-on, operator certificates), inter-CAD data exchange (CAP, DE), and PQC migration for shared instances Criminal Justice Secure Mail (CJSM): S/MIME email encryption between agencies and PQC migration for the CJSM certificate infrastructure
4	Mutual Aid and Cross-Agency PKI Certificate trust and procurement coordination	Mutual aid cryptographic requirements: radio patching, data sharing agreement encryption specifications, and ensuring PQC migration does not break mutual aid capability Cross-agency PKI: shared certificate authorities, cross-certification, and managing PQC algorithm migration when agencies have different procurement timelines Governance: who decides algorithm choices for shared infrastructure; MAIT (Multi-Agency Interoperability Team) and LRF roles in coordinated PQC migration
Break, after 45 min
5	Migration Sequencing for Interoperability Phased migration that preserves joint response capability	Interoperability-preserving migration: hybrid classical+PQC protocols during transition to ensure all agencies can communicate throughout the migration period Sequencing by criticality: life-safety channels first (voice, dispatch), then operational data sharing, then administrative/back-office Testing and validation: multi-agency PQC interoperability testing protocols and tabletop exercises for migration cutover scenarios
6	Regulatory and Governance Framework Home Office, NCSC, and Cabinet Office requirements	Home Office critical communications security: Airwave/ESN security standards and PQC compliance expectations NCSC quantum-safe cryptography guidance for public sector: algorithm selection, migration timeline, and procurement requirements Cabinet Office resilience forum obligations: LRF responsibility for ensuring multi-agency interoperability during PQC transition
7	Q&A and Coordination Planning

Designed and Delivered By

Workshops are designed and delivered by QSECDEF in collaboration with sector specialists. All facilitators have direct experience in both quantum technologies and emergency services systems.

QSECDEF brings world-leading expertise in post-quantum cryptography, quantum computing strategy, and defence-grade security assessment. Our advisory membership spans 600+ organisations and 1,200+ professionals working at the intersection of quantum technologies and critical infrastructure security.

Emergency Services workshops are co-delivered with sector specialists who bring direct operational experience in multi-agency interoperability, joint emergency response coordination, and shared services programme management. This ensures workshop content is grounded in the coordination, governance, and operational realities of multi-agency emergency response.

Commission This Workshop

Sessions are configured around your multi-agency partnership structure, shared infrastructure, and interoperability requirements. Get in touch to discuss scope and schedule a date.

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