Virtually every document describing the principles of operation in crisis situations includes a provision regarding the need to ensure reliable communications. Everyone knows that this is the only way to properly and optimally manage human and equipment resources. The problem is that, despite announcements, various services in Poland continue to use incompatible means of communication, which cannot be integrated into a single, secure, and efficient management and command system.

NIK's assessment of the way crisis communication is organised

The Supreme Audit Office highlighted problems in the area of "crisis communications" in its May 2025 report, "Information on the results of an audit of the communication system in services subordinate to the Ministry of Interior and Administration." It noted, among other things, that "attempts to create a complete, modern communications system for emergency and public order services in Poland began over 20 years ago, but have not yet produced the expected results."

It was also stated that "existing systems still do not meet the necessary requirements in terms of mobility, durability, reliability and security of transmitted information, as well as coordination of forces and resources in special situations, both on a local and national scale."

NIK also noted that "services subordinate to the Ministry of Interior and Administration did not exchange information on activities related to the construction or expansion of radio communication systems, which resulted in incompatibility and prevented economies of scale and infrastructure sharing. This led to increased costs, as a number of separate, smaller orders were implemented, and instead of, for example, using existing masts or radio links, the services built their own, independent facilities."

Therefore, according to the Supreme Audit Office, "it is necessary to exercise the utmost care to implement a modern digital communications system for the services subordinate to the Ministry of Interior and Administration, as well as civil defense and population protection units, as quickly as possible." Considering the current threats, primarily related to terrorist activities of the Russian Federation, such a communications system is needed immediately, not after another dozen or so years of analysis and testing.

The Supreme Audit Office report also recommended that the implemented communications systems be compliant with the global MCX (Mission Critical Services) standard for critical communications developed by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). This standard utilizes MCPTT (Mission Critical Push To Talk), MCVideo (Mission Critical Video), and MCData (Mission Critical Data) technologies and ensures full interoperability between traditional radio systems such as DMR and TETRA and modern solutions based on data transmission in LTE (Long-Term Evolution) networks and ready for 5G networks.

To meet these needs and the NIK recommendations, MindMade, a WB Group company, offers MCX-compatible RED PIK ("Red" Communication Integration Platform) communication kits – a specific and proven solution that can be used wherever connectivity and situational awareness are needed. This system is designed primarily for local governments and subordinate units, both in daily operations and in crisis situations.

RED PIK is a complete, ready-to-use solution, with its own power supply, containing both hardware and software tools (the entire PIK management system is proprietary MindMade software). Therefore, it does not require the construction of separate infrastructure (radio transmitter networks, antenna masts, etc.), as it is replaced by the existing telecommunications infrastructure. This automatically reduces the costs of the entire "crisis communications" system development process, as well as the time required for obtaining permits, licenses, tests, etc. Using RED PIK eliminates the need to replace the existing communications equipment used by cooperating services.

By using RED PIK suitcases you can ensure:

• secure and reliable voice communication;

• data exchange between users of radio communication systems such as DMR, TETRA or mobile phones – including the transmission of real-time images, e.g. from drones or various types of ground observation systems;

• secure, mobile access to information from databases and registers.

The integration process of services using different communication systems is controlled from the dispatcher's console, which can be connected to the RED PIK cases from any computer with internet access and a web browser (required to download the appropriate web application). This console is made available to the person leading the operation, allowing them, among other things, to verify the location of the resources of the given services and to manage them depending on their location relative to the incident site and the equipment needed at that site.

Two versions of RED PIK suitcases are offered:

• LTE mobile case, which is used in areas where cellular networks are available;

• TETRA/DMR mobile case, which is used in areas where there is no communication (due to lack of coverage or failure of cellular networks or other communication networks).

RED PIK LTE Mobile Case

The LTE mobile case is designed to secure everyday communications and emergency or crisis communications in areas with cellular networks. The RED PIK LTE operates on 4G (LTE)/5G cellular networks, maintaining all their functionalities, such as coverage (nationwide and international), transmission capabilities (voice communication, data and video transmission, multimedia messages and files), and the ability to locate users on a map.

RED PIK TETRA/DMR Mobile Case

Integration is achieved by connecting a given service's handheld radio to the integrator using a special cable – a "connector" (which can be purchased separately). Each TETRA/DMR case allows for the connection of up to three different services.

This solution allows for local operation within TETRA/DMR radio coverage (within a radius of 1-4 km, depending on the terrain) and in conjunction with other remote system users using a satellite communications system. The first option utilizes a standard kit containing: a "red suitcase" carrying five ready-to-use TETRA or DMR handheld radios (supplied depending on the user's required configuration), a power supply to simultaneously charge all five radios, a built-in DMR or TETRA radio (depending on the configuration), a set of antennas, and a set of three SIM cards.

Both RED PIK solutions meet the requirements of the Act on the National Cybersecurity System of 5 July 2018 (which requires, among other things, "the use of communication means enabling correct and secure communication within the national cybersecurity system" and "the implementation of technical and organizational measures appropriate and proportionate to the estimated risk, taking into account the latest state of knowledge, including the maintenance and secure operation of the information system").

It is also important that the purchase of RED PIK suitcases can be financed from funds allocated to Area 2 of the Population Protection and Civil Defence Programme for 2025–2026, which indicates that Area 2 covers "Logistic security and ensuring continuity of supply, including communications and ICT services...".

Importantly, the solution proposed by MindMade has already been tested in various exercises, including the District Crisis Management, Civil Protection, and Civil Defense Exercises, codenamed "Airplane 2025." According to Przemyśl Starost Bożena Rycan, the RED PIK suitcases allowed for "a smooth flow of information between exercise participants, which significantly improved the effectiveness of operational activities and coordination of services."