Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
A degree of customization of the module will be necessary for it to conform
to RTBP alerting and notification attributes and vocabulary described in this
chapter.
As a system grows in size and scope, message creation and validation will
also require administrative functionality that takes into consideration secu-
rity provisions such as user access control and originator rights manage-
ment. This will require a registry of usernames, passwords, and issuer rights
profiles (set of privileges and rules) linked to the system's user interface.
14.3.2 Message Distribution
Once an alert or notification has been created, it must then be distributed to
designated recipients. The PHIN-PCA Guide describes two primary meth-
ods for message distribution: direct alerting and cascade alerting.
1.
Direct alerting
is the normal process in which an alerting system
delivers an alert to a human recipient. This is the normal mode of
alerting when the recipient works within the organization or its
jurisdiction. However, direct alerting can also be used to accomplish
cross-jurisdictional alerting: an alerting system in one jurisdiction
can send messages to recipients within another jurisdiction.
2.
Cascade alerting
is a process in which an alert is sent as a system-to-
system message from one jurisdiction to another; the receiving system
then distributes the alert to the appropriate recipients within the receiv-
ing jurisdiction. The message contains the alert along with parameters
describing how and to whom the message should be delivered. Cascade
alerting is the preferred method for sending cross-jurisdictional alerts.
However, it requires greater technical sophistication to implement.
For the purpose of the RTBP testbed, direct alerting will be the primary focus
initially. However, considerations for cascade alerting should be included in
design and development efforts with a view to possibly test its implementa-
tion during a later stage in the project. Cascade alerting will likely have more
relevance as cross-jurisdictional considerations come into play, and, as such,
it may become an important consideration as the project evolves.
14.3.3 Message Delivery
Messages must reach their destination through an appropriate receiving
device, be it a mobile phone, desktop PC, or other means. The contents of the
CAP XML message must be rendered into a human readable form while tak-
ing into account the limits of bandwidth, processor capabilities, and message
display constraints inherent to any particular device. Receiving devises con-
tain a software application to carry out this function.
