LYNDONVILLE, N.Y.—Digital Alert Systems and Monroe Electronics have upgraded the operating system for the Digital Alert Systems DASDEC-II and Monroe One-Net SE emergency alert systems.

Version 4.0 software for the systems is a complete operating system upgrade–with a cybersecurity update and numerous security patches—and software-update management tools. It provides support for new Blue Alert (BLU) Emergency Alert System (EAS) code as well as Triggered Common Alert Protocol (CAP) Polling, which presents more complete alert information to the public, the company said.

With Triggered CAP Polling, the system immediately begins looking for a matching CAP message for every over-the-air EAS event. If one exists, the CAP message is used rather than the EAS alert to ensure better message propagation, it said.

The latest version also supports HALO, the Digital Alert Systems and Monroe Electronics enterprise-level EAS management system.

The release, which provides a new mechanism for faster security updates, includes a new log-in screen designed to prevent hackers from finding devices attached to the internet with no firewall protection, the company said.

Older products, such as DASDEC-I and the original One-Net, cannot be upgraded. An upgrade/exchange program is available for those users, it said.

Customers who have purchased a unit or upgrade since March will receive Version 4.0 at no charge. For Version 3 users, the upgrade costs $495. Those using versions earlier than Version 3.0 will need to upgrade their devices before installing Version 4, the company said.

More information is available on the Digital Alert Systems and Monroe Electronics websites.

LYNDONVILLE, N.Y. — As providers of Emergency Alert System/Common Alerting Protocol equipment, Monroe Electronics — and its Digital Alert Systems subsidiary — are advising users of their OneNet and DASDEC EAS/CAP systems to download the latest Integrated Public Alert and Warning System Certificate Authority (CA) credentials file.

Users must install these new digital CA credentials, recently issued by The Federal Emergency Management Agency — the administrator of IPAWS — in order to replace the previously issued version, which is set to expire on June 24.

Maintaining the most recent CA credentials is essential to ensuring that OneNet and DASDEC EAS/CAP encoders and decoders continue to operate properly. These devices use these digital certificates to validate the authenticity of IPAWS sourced Common Alerting Protocol alerts.

IPAWS users who fail to update their equipment before June 24 could see the error message: “Event Log: Digital Signature VERIFICATION ERROR : Signer UNTRUSTED! Check for correct CAP decoder CA file.;”

This is because FEMA uses digital CA certificates to create a “chain of trust between Emergency Alert System devices and the IPAWS servers.” According to FEMA IPAWS is an internet-based system that enables federal, state, and local authorities to issue critical public alerts and warnings. It’s accessed through software that meets IPAWS system requirements.

“We have been advised there will be several certificate and policy changes through the end of 2018 that will necessitate some certificate updates during this period,” said Ed Czarnecki, senior director of strategy and government affairs for Monroe Electronics and Digital Alert Systems.

Czarnecki added, “We’re constantly evaluating and updating our systems to stay in step with IPAWS, and since assisting customers is our top priority, we are actively working on new methods of managing government certificates with an improved path forward.”

All OneNet and DASDEC customers using the IPAWS system must have the latest digital certificates in place to assure the validity of the communications chain of trust, which prevents a “man in the middle” attack by only processing the messages that are authenticated through the IPAWS system.

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LYNDONVILLE, N.Y.—Monroe Electronics has a Halo with its new Emergency Alert Systems management system that can oversee all encoders/decoders and facilitate command of all connected EAS devices within an organization. The Halo platform combines EAS operations and compliance under one umbrella for unified configuration, EAS log reporting and error/alarm monitoring.

Halo is designed to provide a range of data from each device, including originated, decoded and forward alerts; configuration changes; operational status; current software/hardware versions; and analog and digital monitoring data such as radio frequency, signal strength and Common Alert Protocol inputs; as well as summary detail required by the FCC. Credentialed experts from departments like engineering, compliance, legal and management will have access to this information.

Halo is an intelligent software that comes in modules for companies to configure the system to fit their needs. Besides the core module, there are nine other modules available for functions like advanced configuration, EAS logging, redundancy, advanced reporting and license key management.

ALEXANDRIA,VA.—As broadcasters prepare for the upcoming national test of the Emergency Alert System later this month, Radio World is speaking with manufacturers of EAS equipment to determine what stations should know in advance of the test.

Ed Czarnecki

The next national EAS test is set for Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 2:20 pm (in case of massive inclement weather, the backup test date for the EAS test would be Wednesday, Oct. 4). The test will be conducted in the same matter as the 2016 national test, meaning that FEMA will use the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.

In Part II of a three-part series, Radio World connected with Ed Czarnecki at Monroe Electronics.

Radio World: What types of equipment were put in place during last year’s test?
Ed Czarnecki: In broadcast, we have the DASDEC and DASDEC-II emergency messaging platforms have been deployed across industry since before the CAP mandate. In cable and IPTV, the One-Net has been a mainstay of the industry.

RW: What is your sense of the readiness of equipment for the test later this month?
Czarnecki: In general, I think that stations have been very attentive to this upcoming NPT test. The number of NPT-related support calls is significantly lower than last year, which may mean that stations have a better understanding and comfort level with the NPT, and their device configurations.

RW: What versions should stations have installed?
Czarnecki: We strongly recommend that stations should be running at least version 3.0 on their platforms. There are some differences in NPT handling between the older than 2.6 software and v3.0/v3.1. This is discussed in detail at our NPT Test Support Page.

Our latest DASDEC software update is v3.1. However, if a station is running software older than version 2.6, they absolutely should be in contact with us for a software update.

RW: What guidance do you have for customers who still need to update their equipment or ask questions?
Czarnecki: First, don’t panic, as the “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” would say. We’ve all gone through last year’s NPT test, so this year’s event is just the next in the series. This test will be originated and sent in the same manner as the previous 2016 National Test.

This story originally appeared on TVT's sister publication Radio World. 

LYNDONVILLE, N.Y.—Emergency communications system and video services providers Monroe Electronics and its Digital Alert Systems subsidiary are changing up its Custom Message Plus software. A rebrand to Custom Message Pro and an upgrade that features a new interface have been officially announced.

Custom Message Pro is an optional add-on to Monroe’s One-Net and DASDEC emergency messaging platforms designed to allow users to secure access to a specific screen to create detailed, customized audio/video messages for processing by downstream equipment, including other Emergency Alert Systems. It also accommodates multiple forms of emergency messaging through One-Net and DASDEC video and audio capabilities.

One of the new features for the upgraded Custom Message Pro is the ability to access and distribute outside messages. Users can also now store message contents and display parameters as named templates. Stored templates can be recalled and modified, then saved as something new; a general-purpose input or contact closure to up to 32 templates can be assigned. There is also a new ability to link a message to an audio file or derive the audio from Custom Message Pro’s text-to-speech engine.

Custom Message Pro is available as an add-on to any upgrade for DASDEC and One-Net customers with v3.1 software or for customers with Custom Message Plus and v3.1 software.

LYNDONVILLE, N.Y.—Monroe Electronics and its Digital Alert Systems subsidiary will take part in the Thursday, Oct. 6, webinar from IPAWS. Monroe will participate as an IPAWS Alert Origination Service Provider and will offer a live technology demonstration of its DASEOC integrated CAP/EAS origination platform.

Following FEMA’s updates on the IPAWS-OPEN authentication platform, Monroe will offer its demonstration that has been adopted by a reported nine state emergency management agencies, as well as counties across the U.S. The demo will showcase the latest features of the DASEOC alert origination platform, specifically its interoperability with FEMA’s IPAWS. These features include providing a single interface for broadcast EAS and mobile phone alerts to Wireless Emergency Alerts; multilingual alert origination; monitor incoming CAP alerts locally, regionally or nationally; email notifications of alerts.

The IPAWS webinar is scheduled to take place at noon on Oct. 6 and does not require prior registration. To launch the webinar, attendees can go through the Webex interface, or dial into 1-650-479-3207 and enter access code 665100168.

LYNDONVILLE, N.Y.—E. Scott Nix has been hired to the newly created position of director of strategic projects, according to Monroe Electronics. Nix will work with the engineering, sales, marketing and compliance teams to manage Monroe’s new strategic initiatives from concept to completion.

E. Scott Nix

Nix joins Monroe Electronics after most recently serving as technical sales executive at 5280 Broadcast. He was also the senior consultant and owner of Claybourne Consulting. Other previous positions include director of sales at Data-Systems International; national accounts manager at Dalet Digital Media Systems; and northwest regional sales manager for Omneon, which is now Harmonic.

Nix will be based in Salt Lake City and report directly to Monroe Electronics Chief Operating Officer Jim Heminway.