Cisco Tactical Operations (TacOps)
Helping relief agencies in a crisis
We set up highly secure communications on the ground during emergencies. As a Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mission we render aid free of charge.
Contact us
For emergency use only: Response agencies can request an emergency activation during a catastrophic incident.
For general non-emergency inquiries: Email us.
What Tactical Operations does
Support rescue efforts
We quickly deploy networks to help relief agencies save lives and speed recovery to communities.
Help you create solution sets
We know what network-based technologies can accomplish the most in an emergency.
Design emergency kits
We develop everything from mobile command vehicles to portable communication kits.
Promote agency coordination
We work to foster cooperation between private- and public-sector organizations.
Who and what we support
Public Safety
The emergency needs of first responders and humanitarian organizations.
Continuity of government
Technology that helps governments continue to respond to a crisis.
Critical infrastructure
Help for hospitals, utilities, and other essential services that communities depend on.
Connecting the unconnected during a crisis
Challenge
In 2012, during the most destructive fire in Colorado’s history, responding agencies were trying to coordinate firefighting efforts, issue evacuation orders, and provide emergency medical services.
Results
The TacOps team set up a reliable network for hundreds of personnel that became a cornerstone of relief efforts. Timely evacuations of 32,000 residents saved lives.
What's inside Cisco Tactical Operations
TacOps and DIRT teams
Our TacOps unit and Disaster Incident Response Team join large-scale exercises to validate technologies. Members are trained in the U.S. National Incident Management System and Incident Command System.
Network Emergency Response Vehicle (NERV)
The Cisco NERV is a command and communications resource for first responders and agencies that require mission-critical networking to recover normal operations during a disaster.
Emergency Communications Unit
This trailer contains rapidly deployable, highly secure network, radio, and collaboration technologies. It is designed to fit into a C-17 cargo aircraft.
Emergency Communication Kit
The Cisco Emergency Communication Kit is designed to quickly, securely, and reliably establish voice and data communications in austere environments.
Rapid Response Kit
This kit is designed for emergency responders, assessment teams, and others who require a highly portable, lightweight, power-efficient, and secure network.
Phone Kit
The Phone Kit is a cloud-based telephony solution designed to provide additional IP phones to quickly expand voice services beyond the initial capacity of TacOps' other portable emergency communications kits or mobile platforms.
Recent deployments
We put Wi-Fi networks and charging stations on migration routes in Europe, so refugees could contact loved ones.
We helped government operations continue after Cyclone Pam by deploying networks at 15 sites on four islands.
Our first network was on the ground 72 hours after the earthquake to provide connectivity for aid workers.
In the wake of Typhoon Haiyan, we helped coordinate water supplies, food, and medical care for survivors.
Other deployments
As part of the Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility group, the TacOps team has helped responders in 36 disasters and participated in 16 training exercises around the world. Here are some of our deployments:
- Refugee Crisis, Northern Uganda, 2017
- Hurricane Matthew, North Carolina, 2016
- Blue Cut Fire, California, 2016
- Flooding, Louisiana, 2016
- Earthquake, Ecuador, 2016
- Syrian Refugee Crisis, Europe 2015-16
- Earthquake, Nepal, 2015
- Cyclone Pam, Vanuatu, 2015
- Ebola virus crisis, West Africa, 2014-15
- King Fire, California, 2014
- Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), Philippines, 2013
- Fertilizer plant explosion, Texas, 2013
- Waldo Canyon fire, Colorado, 2012
- Famine, Horn of Africa, 2011
- Earthquake and tsunami, Japan, 2011
- Floods, Brazil, 2011
- Floods, Australia, 2011
- Earthquakes, New Zealand, 2010-11
- Carlton Complex Fire, Washington, 2014
- Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana, 2005
- Hurricane Sandy, New York and New Jersey, 2012
- Tornado, Oklahoma, 2013
- Gas pipeline explosion, California, 2010
- Earthquake, Haiti, 2010
- Fiber cut, California, 2009
- Hurricane Gustav, Louisiana, 2008
- Hurricane Ike, Texas, 2008
- Floods, Iowa, 2008
- Evans Road fire, North Carolina, 2008
- Firestorm, California, 2007
Resources
News coverage
- Cisco team maintains connections in crises (July 5, 2017)
- Cisco - Winner of the 2017 UPS International Disaster Relief and Resilience Award (July 4, 2017)
- Cyber Protection: have you received the data call? (May 24, 2017)
- Everyone a Humanitarian Podcast: Cisco Tactical Operations (March 7, 2017)
- Delivering Critical Cybersecurity for Refugees (March 2, 2017)
- Connecting and Securing Syria's Refugees (January 4, 2017)
- Cisco's Corporate Social Responsibility gets some long-deserved recognition (July 14, 2016)
- How a bunch of tech geeks helped save Nepal’s earthquake victims (March 23, 2016)
- Cisco TacOps Can Have A Network Established Within 72 Hours Of A Disaster (March 23, 2016)
- Cisco's CSR Program Under CEO Chuck Robbins Is Flourishing (March 9, 2016)
- Bringing Cisco's People Deal to the Syrian Refugee Crisis (February 29, 2016)
- Reconnecting refugees with loved ones thanks to the Cisco Disaster Response Team (December 11, 2015)
- Inside the secret world at Cisco headquarters filled with heroes, 'mythical' nap pods, and goats (October 7, 2015)
- Cisco's Tactical Operations Group Brings the Internet When No One Else Can (August 3, 2015)
- This is how Cisco brings the web to the world's most forsaken places (August 3, 2015)
- How Cisco brings communications to disaster relief efforts (July 1, 2015)
- FEMA Launches Innovative National Volunteer Program to Enhance Disaster Response and Recovery Efforts Nationwide (June 17, 2015)
- Meet Cisco's Beloved 'TacOps' Team Who Travel the World Bringing the Internet to Disaster Victims (February 22, 2014)
- We're with Cisco, but Ssshhh, Don't Tell Anyone! (January 14, 2014)
White papers
- The Evolution of Hastily Formed Networks for Disaster Response (PDF - 578 KB )
- The Network Enabled Emergency Operations Center (EOC) (PDF - 1.16 MB)
Case studies
- Carleton Complex wildfire
- Waldo Canyon Fire (PDF - 288 KB)
- Missouri Highway Patrol (PDF - 359 KB)
Volunteer opportunities
If you are a Cisco employee and would like to volunteer for the Disaster Incident Response Team, log in to learn more.