MARCS radio users: URGENT Don’t wait – authenticate! Your radios will be shut off if you don’t act very soon!

If you are a MARCS customer who hasn’t had your radios authenticated, they won’t work on the MARCS system beginning this July 1.

Take the following two actions:

1. Please contact your radio manufacturer or programming vendor today to begin the authentication process.

2. Please email MARCSRadioAuthentication@das.ohio.gov explaining your plan to complete the process to authenticate your radios.

What is Radio Authentication and why?

Radio Authentication is a necessary step to protect the MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communication System) system and is an industry standard in public safety/first responder communications.

Each radio – base, mobile, and portable – must have Radio Authentication to operate on the MARCS system after July 1, 2025.

Radio Authentication (also known as Link Layer Authentication) is an increased safety and security measure to ensure only authorized users have access to the radio system. This increased security helps safeguard against unauthorized people using and listening on the system and helps to protect against those attempting to disrupt the system. This is important to protect the emergency communications infrastructure of the MARCS radio system throughout Ohio.

Since July 1, 2020, the MARCS Program Office has been actively encouraging customers to have their radios authenticated to provide the best and most secure service to everyone.

Some radios purchased after July 1, 2019, may already have been authenticated.

If you have a radio purchased prior to July 1, 2019, the radio may have the ability to be updated to comply with Radio Authentication, without the need to purchase a new radio.

For questions, contact: MARCS Program Office Ohio Department of Administrative Services Email: MARCSRadioAuthentication@das.ohio.gov Call: 866-OHMARCS (866-646-2727) Website: DAS.Ohio.gov/MARCS

Your help in securing the MARCS system is appreciated.