A framework for securing the signaling plane in the emergency services IP network (ESINet)

IP-based emergency systems (or Next Generation 9-1-1) are being designed to allow any type of communication device, from any access network, to make IP-based emergency calls. A special purpose IP network - an Emergency Services IP Network (ESINet) - is being planned by public safety agencies. In this paper, we address the challenges on defining a framework for managing the security of the signaling messages in the context of IP-based emergency calls. The challenges rely on choosing a security mechanism that protects the signaling, is practical for implementation by different parties, and meets the requirements of citizen-to-authority emergency calls.