Protecting 911 Access Against SI-Enabled Attacks

Purpose

HSWERX, in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate, will host a Collaboration Event to identify innovative approaches to detecting, mitigating, and preventing Super Intelligence (SI)-enabled attacks against 911 emergency communication centers (ECCs), also known as Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). This event aims to explore emerging threats, including Telephony Denial of Service (TDoS) attacks, SI-generated synthetic callers, coordinated false emergency reports, and vulnerabilities in SI-enabled emergency response systems. The event will bring together government, industry, and subject matter experts to identify potential solutions that protect emergency communications, distinguish malicious activity from legitimate calls, and strengthen the resilience of 911 systems without disrupting critical public safety services.

Background

ECCs/PSAPs must maintain timely access to emergency assistance while handling calls whose legitimacy may not be immediately apparent. DHS S&T has previously conducted research on TDoS, with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA’s) Emergency Communications Division (ECD) as a partner. This proposed effort would build on that work by addressing SI-enabled malicious calling that goes beyond conventional high-volume or brute-force disruption.

Objective

The objective of this effort is to develop an evidence-based approach to protecting legitimate access to 911 during SI-enabled malicious calling campaigns. Success would be measured by preservation of legitimate caller access, continuity of emergency communications operations, and demonstrated reduction of identified capability gaps—not simply detection of synthetic speech or completion of a vendor demonstration.

Why You Should Participate (US ONLY) 

The Collaboration Event is designed to provide insights to ensure that potential partners understand the problem set(s) fully and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with end-user needs. This Collaboration Event is also an opportunity for attendees to network and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution. Following the Collaboration Event, a subsequent Assessment Event may be initiated to analyze innovative solutions.

Event Timeline

Phase 1 – November 5, 2026 – November 20, 2026 Request to Attend Open: Interested respondents can request to attend the Collaboration Event using the form at the bottom of the webpage. (Request NLT November 20^th 11:59 PM ET)

Phase 2 – November 20, 2026 – November 24, 2026 Downselects: DHS S&T will review attendance requests and select participants whose expertise and capabilities best align with the event's objectives. Those who are selected will be notified on/around November 25, 2026.  

Phase 3 – December 9, 2026 – Collaboration Event: HSWERX will facilitate the Collaboration Event with government partners focused on ECC/PSAP needs. During this event, participants will hear from government end users through briefings about the current state of technology and their solution objectives. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and submit technologies, techniques, and points of contact that may be able to help solve the challenge. Participation in this event is not mandatory; however, it is designed to provide insights to ensure potential offerors fully understand the problem set(s) and to increase the likelihood of matching their technologies with DHS needs. This Collaboration Event is also an opportunity for attendees to meet and form partnerships that may provide a more comprehensive solution.

Tentative Agenda 

All times listed are in ET   
8:30–9:00: Participants arrive at District Offices 
9:00–9:05: T2C & HSWERX Welcome Remarks  
9:05–9:30: S&T Welcome & Problem Set   
9:30–10:15: Current Limitations Breakout   
10:15–10:30: Break   
10:30–11:30: Ways to Overcome Limitations Breakout   
11:30–1:00: Lunch (on your own)   
1:00–2:30: Problem Statement Development   
2:30–2:45: Break   
2:45–4:00: Problem Statement Briefs   
4:00–4:05: Voting   
4:05–4:20: Tech Pitches 

4:20–4:30: Path Forward 

Note: Agenda is subject to change  

Additional information regarding follow-on efforts will be posted to this site after the Collaboration Event.  

How You Can Participate 

Government, Industry, Academia, National Labs, and Non-Traditional Attendees (US ONLY): 

• Request to Attend the Collaboration Event: Click Here to Request to Attend (NLT November 20, 2026, 11:59PM ET)

Questions?

For event-related questions, please contact Bridget Bailey, bbailey@hswerx.org  

To learn more about the DEFENSEWERX partnership with DHS Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) Technology Transfer & Commercialization (T2C), click here.

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