Best Practices Tutorial The primary objective of Best Practices is to provide guidance, based on...

Best Practices Tutorial

The primary objective of Best Practices is to provide guidance, based on assembled industry expertise and experience, for network reliability

and resiliency.

NRSC Best Practices SubcommitteeFebruary 2014

Best Practices TutorialFebruary 2014

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Best Practices Guidelines

1. Proven through actual implementation – more than “just a good idea”

2. Address classes of problems (rather than one time issues) 3. A single concept should be captured in each practice (one

thought, one practice) 4. Should not endorse specific commercial documents,

products or services5. Developed through rigorous deliberation and expert

consensus6. Confirmed by a broad set of stakeholders7. Should not be assumed to be applicable in all situations or to

all industry types8. Does not imply mandatory implementation


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Best Practice Format

The format of the Best Practices should all be in the form of:

"__________________ should ___________________"

1st blank “Who”: consists of the implementer (i.e., Service Provider, Network Operator, Equipment Supplier, Property Manager, Government, Public Safety)

2nd blank “What”: consists of the Best Practice. The Best Practice may include the use of a modifier (e.g., consider, in order to, etc.).


Best Practice Example7-7-1031

Network Operators and Service Providers should consider entering into Mutual Aid agreements with partners best able to assist them in a disaster situation using the templates provided on the NRIC and NCS websites. These efforts could include provisions to share spectrum, fiber facilities, switching, and/or technician resources.

See http://www.ncs.gov/ncc/nccmaa/nccmaa_toc.html and http://www.nric.org/meetings/meeting20020913.html

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First Blank - WHO

Modifier

Second Blank - WHAT

Supporting information, found in Reference section.

Should be located in reference section. Does not belong in

actual BP.


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Best Practice Numbering FormatFor existing NRIC/CSRIC Best Practices:

Each Best Practice has a unique number that follows the numbering format: X - Y - Z # # #

X = the current, or most recent, NRIC/CSRIC Council (e.g., 8 in 2009-2010)

Y = the Council in which the Best Practice was last edited

Z = 0-4 for Network Reliability and Interoperability = 1 for Disaster Recovery and Mutual Aid = 3 for Public Safety = 5 for Physical Security = 8 for Cyber Security

# # # = any digits, where every Best Practice has a unique Z # # #


Other ConsiderationsFor each new BP identify:• Network Type • Industry Role• Status (Rating & Ranking)• Applicable Keywords

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Best Practices Network Types

• CableAn entity that provides communications through direct connectivity, predominantly by coaxial cable or optical fiber, between the serving central office and end user location(s).

• Internet/DataAn entity that provides internet and/or data communications through direct connectivity, predominantly by wire, coaxial cable, or optical fiber, between facilities-based and non-facilities-based serving networks and end user location(s).

• Satellite:An entity that provides communications through satellite connectivity.

• Wireless:An entity that provides communications through radio spectrum allocation, predominantly by cellular architecture and/or CMRS networks between the mobile switching center(s) and end users .

• Wireline:An entity that provides communications through direct connectivity, predominantly by wire or optical fiber, between the serving central office and end user location(s).

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Best Practices Industry Roles• Equipment Supplier

An organization whose business is to supply network operators and service providers with equipment or software required to render reliable network service

• GovernmentA federal, state, or local government agency.

• Network OperatorAn entity responsible for the operation, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P) of communications networks.

• Property ManagerAn entity responsible for the operation of a physical location that houses communications equipment.

• Public SafetyAn entity that administers and/or operates a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) or the public safety network.

• Service ProviderAn entity responsible for providing communications services for consumer and business customers.

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Best Practices Rating and Ranking• Critical (1) Best Practices include those which meet any of the following standards:

– Significantly reduce the potential for a catastrophic failure of critical communications network infrastructure and/or services (e.g., telecommunication, public safety, energy sector, financial, etc.).

– Materially limit and/or contain the geographic area affected by a communications failure from cascading to other or adjacent geographic areas.

– Affect critical communications networks (e.g., SS7) for all network configurations, independent of size.– Preserve priority communications for key personnel involved in disaster response and recovery.

• Highly Important (2) Best Practices include those which meet any of the following standards: – Improve the likelihood of emergency call completion, with caller information, to the appropriate response agency

(i.e., Public Safety Answering Point), ensuring access to emergency communications for all callers.– Improve the efficiency and promote the availability of networks and the likelihood of call completion and

message transmission (e.g., e-mail, instant messaging) for key personnel involved in disaster response and recovery.

– Improve detection of network events by network operators and service providers.– Implementation has improved network reliability but may not be applicable for all networks or companies.

• Important (3) Best Practices include those which meet any of the following standards: – Promote sound provisioning and maintenance or reliable, resilient networks, services, and equipment, but were

not otherwise classified.– Common sense BPs that entities generally adopt.

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Best Practices Recommended Keywords• Access Control

Limiting and/or documenting physical access to buildings, equipment and/or systems.

• BuildingsPhysical structures that house communications equipment or employees.

• Business ContinuityCorporate wide program that has been established for the purpose of internal planning for and responding to emergency situations impacting services, employees or assets.

• Contractors & VendorsNon-employees working on behalf of the company or providing goods/services (not visitors).

• Corporate EthicsCorporate values and integrity for organizations supporting public communications infrastructure.

• Cyber SecurityThe protection of information and systems against unauthorized disclosure, transfer, modification, or destruction, whether accidental or intentional.

• Disaster RecoverySteps taken after an emergency event has occurred to recover from the event.

• DocumentationInformation concerning the operation/location of communications equipment and networks. This DOES NOT necessarily include everything written but may include information in a draft format.

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• Emergency PreparednessSteps taken prior to an emergency event occurring that will facilitate the restoration from the event.

• EncryptionSteps taken to make data unusable to any other person(s) or system(s) other than for whom it is intended.

• Facilities – TransportInteroffice facilities used to carry communications (e.g., copper, fiber, free space).

• FirePreventing, controlling, or extinguishing combustion of materials at or near telecommunications equipment.

• Guard ForcePeople tasked for safeguarding facilities, physical assets, and personnel.

• HardwareEquipment used to support communications networks.

• Human ResourcesProcesses and procedures relating to personnel within a company.

• Industry CooperationCollaboration between separate business entities.

• Information ProtectionSafeguarding the confidentiality and integrity of a company’s proprietary information.


Best Practices Recommended Keywords (cont’d)

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• Intrusion DetectionActions taken to alert users or administrators when an unauthorized entity has attempted or has succeeded in accessing a system or database. This denotes cyber intrusion and does not cover physical intrusion.

• LiaisonMaintaining communications through a working relationship with other entities.

• Material MovementPhysical movement of materials (i.e., logistics).

• Network DesignPlanning and configuration of communication networks.

• Network ElementUnique equipment that is a component of a network.

• Network InteroperabilityInteraction of networks that must work together to provide communications.

• Network OperationsTasks required to operate a network.

• Network ProvisioningSteps taken to activate equipment/services in a network.

• PandemicRelated to the preparation or reaction to wide-spread epidemic or epidemic in a specific area.

• Physical Security ManagementAnything having to do with safeguarding the physical assets of the corporation.

• PolicyHigh level management statements of a desired condition (not detailed procedures).

• PowerElectrical systems (AC/DC) used to operate communications equipment.

• ProceduresInstructions for specific tasks.

• Public SafetyRelated to emergencies and 9-1-1 services used by individuals or corporations.

• Security SystemsHardware/Software devices specifically used to monitor and control security.

• SoftwareCode specific to running communications equipment.

• SupervisionDirect management of tasks workers.

• Technical SupportProviding assistance in installing, maintaining, or restoring equipment.

• Training & AwarenessCompany provided instruction or other means of education on specific topics.

• VisitorsIndividuals who are not employees/contractors/vendors.


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