The government has announced the establishment of a “technical and multi-sectoral task force with the mandate to develop, within a maximum of 90 days, a technical-strategic study for the urgent replacement of the Integrated System of Emergency and Security Networks of Portugal (SIRESP).”
In a statement sent out this Friday, it was clarified that the order was issued by the Minister of Internal Administration, Margarida Blasco, and the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, Miguel Pinto Luz.
“The decision is supported by the strategic importance of emergency and civil protection communications for the security and resilience of the state, considering the structural and operational limitations highlighted by SIRESP in scenarios of high complexity and operational demand, which were evident, among other situations, on April 28, during the blackout,” the statement read.
The communication further mentioned that the measure also aims to urgently ensure “a robust, reliable, resilient, technologically adequate and fully interoperable communications system that effectively meets the current and future demands of security forces, emergency and civil protection services.”
The ministers indicated that this measure is alongside the request for audits by the National Civil Aviation Authority (ANAC), the National Communications Authority (Anacom), and the Institute for Mobility and Transport (IMT), urging these regulators “to conduct, respectively, audits and a thorough technical analysis of the incidents that occurred during the blackout last Monday.”
The coordinator of the task force will be appointed by order, and according to the government, the team should include representatives from several entities, namely:
- Agency for the Integrated Management of Rural Fires (AGIF);
- National Communications Authority (ANACOM);
- National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (ANEPC);
- National Cybersecurity Center (CNCS);
- EMGFA – General Staff of the Armed Forces;
- Office of the Ministry of Internal Administration (GMAI);
- Office of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Housing (GMIH);
- National Security Office (GNS);
- GNR – National Republican Guard;
- INEM – National Institute of Medical Emergency;
- PSP – Public Security Police;
- General Secretariat of the Ministry of Internal Administration (SGMAI);
- Independent technical experts, to be designated by subsequent order.
