The Fire Standards Board has opened a new consultation seeking feedback on the draft version of its Digital and Cyber Security Fire Standard.
Developed alongside subject matter experts from the network of Fire and Rescue Service ICT Managers, Home Office specialists, representatives from the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) Digital, Technology and Cyber Board, and other key stakeholders, the Digital and Cyber Security Fire Standard has been created to offer better digital support for fire and rescue services in their day-to-day activities, including improving the way they “collect, store, use and present data, manage information, and make best use of digital technology”.
In particular, the consultation seeks to gather feedback about the draft itself as well as the “impact on those organisations who will be expected to align to it”. As the Fire Standards Board states, a fire and rescue service can deliver excellence to the public through the safe, effective, and efficient use of digital technology to “provide appropriate access to information and facilitate vital communications when and where it is needed, contributing to the safety of communities”.
The expected benefits of achieving the Digital and Cyber Security Fire Standard are detailed in the draft as follows:
- Decreased risk of data breach or data loss
- Enhanced professionalism and improved competence
- Improved safety, health, and wellbeing of communities
- Improved quality of service provided to the public
- Improved trust in and reputation of the service
- Greater regional and national collaboration leading to increased consistency and
- Reduced organisational risk
- A more positive working culture generated.
As the NFCC explains: “Digital, data and technology underpin all areas of fire and rescue service business from front-line response to the targeting of our interventions; from how we manage risk to how we look after our most important asset, our people.”
The Board is keen to hear from all fire and rescue services, those to whom the Standards will apply directly, and any other key stakeholders.
Opened on 2 May 2024, the consultation will close on Monday 17 June 2024. To participate, please visit the consultation page here.