Defending ECCs Against Swatting: Guidance from APCO & PSTA

Sunday, August 2 | 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Megan Bixler, CPE, RPL, Director of Technology, APCO International
Jay Kaine, CISSP, Director of Threat Intelligence, PSTA

Swatting incidents continue to present significant operational, financial, and public safety challenges for emergency communications centers (ECCs) across the country. APCO International and the Public Safety Threat Alliance (PSTA) shared the findings of a nationwide research effort designed to better understand the scope, frequency, and impact of swatting incidents on public safety agencies. Presenters discussed the collaborative journey from project conception through the publication of the report, highlighting the participation of nearly 800 respondents and the growing concerns surrounding this evolving threat.

Attendees were given an indepth look at the survey results, which revealed that most participating agencies had experienced at least one swatting incident within the previous year. The session explored the tactics commonly associated with swatting attacks, including caller ID spoofing, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, AI-generated voice technology, and the use of publicly available personal information to increase the credibility of fabricated emergencies. The findings underscored how technological advancements continue to make these attacks more sophisticated and difficult to identify.

The presentation also examined ECC preparedness and highlighted several important gaps identified through the research. Survey responses indicated that many ECCs lacked formal training programs, written policies, or standard operating procedures (SOPs) specifically designed to address swatting incidents. Operational challenges faced by public safety telecommunicators (PSTs) were discussed and importance of training, verification procedures, interagency coordination, and improved reporting mechanisms to help reduce risk and improve response effectiveness.

The session concluded with a discussion of key recommendations from the APCO and PSTA Swatting Report and resources available to help agencies strengthen their preparedness efforts. Attendees left with practical insights into developing policies, enhancing training programs, improving collaboration with law enforcement and cybersecurity partners, and adopting more consistent approaches to tracking and responding to swatting incidents.

By Megan Bixler