The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) recently published a guide to help service providers, owners, and operators understand their role in responsible positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) use.
PNT is essential for critical infrastructure operations that rely heavily on PNT data to operate. These include communications networks, emergency response, financial systems, transportation, and utilities. PNT services can be disrupted by accidents, deliberate actions, and natural disasters.
The guide, the Best Practices for Resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) Supporting Critical Infrastructure, outlines general best practices and provides specific examples for PNT technology and use cases.
Technology includes the Global Positioning System and the Global Navigation Satellite System. Use cases include stationary timing and platform moving.
“The release of this important guide marks a major milestone in S&T’s efforts to promote resilient PNT for infrastructure owners and operators,” Julie Brewer, acting DHS under secretary for science and technology, said. “Accurate PNT information is vital to the nation’s critical infrastructure. S&T is committed to provide guidance that helps organizations deploy PNT responsibly, manage risks effectively and build resilience against ever-emerging threats.”
Organizations can enhance the responsible development, acquisition and deployment of PNT solutions by assessing risk and applying the best practices, DHS said.