Workshops Emergency Services Chief Officers Quantum Briefing

Emergency Services Deep Dive Session

Quantum Technology Briefing for Emergency Services Chief Officers

A non-technical executive briefing for chief constables, chief fire officers, and ambulance chief executives on quantum security governance responsibilities, regulatory obligations, and investment priorities for emergency service organisations.

Half day (3 hours)

In person or online

Max 30 delegates

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Workshop Description

Chief officers of emergency service organisations hold personal governance accountability for technology risk under the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations. Quantum computing creates a specific technology risk: the cryptographic protocols securing emergency communications (Airwave/ESN), dispatch systems (CAD), and shared intelligence platforms will become vulnerable within the service life of systems being procured today. HMICFRS, HMICFRS(W), and equivalent inspectorates will eventually assess quantum preparedness as part of their technology and efficiency inspections. Chief officers need to understand the scope of the exposure, the regulatory timeline, and the budget implications without requiring cryptographic expertise.

This briefing provides chief officers with a governance framework for quantum technology risk. We cover the regulatory obligations that create personal accountability (NIS Regulations management body duties, Home Office critical communications requirements), the HMICFRS inspection context (how quantum preparedness fits within the PEEL assessment framework), the Spending Review and business case preparation for PQC migration funding, and the gold/silver/bronze command implications of communications security degradation. The briefing distinguishes between quantum security threats (requiring action now via PQC migration) and quantum computing opportunities (resource optimisation, predictive analytics) that warrant monitoring but not immediate investment. Participants leave with a decision framework and a governance action plan.

What participants cover

NIS Regulations governance: management body duties for operators of essential services, personal accountability for cybersecurity, and how quantum risk fits within existing NIS compliance programmes
HMICFRS inspection preparedness: how quantum security preparedness maps to PEEL (Police Effectiveness, Efficiency and Legitimacy) assessment criteria and technology inspection themes
Home Office critical communications obligations: Airwave/ESN security requirements, quantum readiness expectations, and the regulatory trajectory for mission-critical communications
Spending Review business case: framing PQC migration investment within the three-year funding cycle, cost estimation ranges, and joint procurement opportunities with partner agencies
Gold/silver/bronze command implications: what communications security degradation means for command and control during major incidents, and how PQC readiness affects operational resilience
Threat versus opportunity distinction: PQC migration (action required now) versus quantum computing applications (monitor, do not invest) and how to communicate this distinction to governing bodies

Preliminary Agenda

Half-day executive briefing with structured discussion. Content is configurable to your service type, governance structure, and regulatory jurisdiction.

#	Session	Topics
1	Quantum Risk for Emergency Services What chief officers need to know	Quantum threat to emergency communications: Airwave/ESN encryption, CAD systems, and shared intelligence platforms will become vulnerable within current equipment lifecycle Harvest-now-decrypt-later: adversaries recording encrypted emergency communications today for future quantum decryption; implications for covert operations and witness protection Threat versus opportunity: PQC migration (security, action required now) versus quantum computing (optimisation, monitor only); how to avoid misallocating budget to premature quantum computing investments
2	Regulatory Obligations and Personal Accountability NIS Regulations, HMICFRS, and Home Office requirements	NIS Regulations: operator of essential services duties, management body personal accountability, and incident reporting obligations that apply to emergency service organisations HMICFRS inspection framework: how quantum security preparedness maps to PEEL assessment criteria, technology inspection themes, and efficiency markers Home Office critical communications: ESN security standards, Airwave sunset timeline, and PQC compliance expectations from the Home Office and NPTC
Break, after 50 min
3	Investment and Governance Budgeting, business cases, and governing body communication	Spending Review preparation: framing PQC migration investment within the three-year funding cycle; order-of-magnitude cost ranges by service type and scale Joint procurement: multi-agency PQC migration coordination through PCCs, combined authorities, and national programmes to reduce per-agency costs Governing body communication: how to brief police and crime commissioners, fire authorities, and NHS trust boards on quantum risk without technical jargon
4	Discussion and Governance Action Plan Structured chief officer decision-making session

Designed and Delivered By

Workshops are designed and delivered by QSECDEF in collaboration with sector specialists. All facilitators have direct experience in both quantum technologies and emergency services systems.

QSECDEF brings world-leading expertise in post-quantum cryptography, quantum computing strategy, and defence-grade security assessment. Our advisory membership spans 600+ organisations and 1,200+ professionals working at the intersection of quantum technologies and critical infrastructure security.

Emergency Services workshops are co-delivered with sector specialists who bring direct experience in emergency service governance, chief officer briefing, and strategic technology planning. This ensures briefing content is grounded in the governance, budgetary, and operational realities of emergency service leadership.

Commission This Workshop

Briefings are configured around your service type, governance structure, and strategic priorities. Get in touch to discuss scope and schedule a date.

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