A Safe Path to Cloud for Critical Communications
April 16th, 2025
Emergency services are under increasing pressure to modernise legacy communications and public contact systems while maintaining absolute reliability. For critical calling services like 999, while cloud technology holds clear potential, concerns around risk, control and compliance often slows progress.
The real challenge isn’t cloud adoption, it’s how to transition critical communications infrastructure without impacting live emergency services. Legacy communications, bespoke integrations, and strict service availability targets demand a solution that supports flexible deployment, coexistence and phased migration.
Recognising these challenges, we developed Cinos Cloud for Blue Light to help emergency services move forward with confidence. Our service enables a structured, risk-averse journey to cloud communications – laying the foundations for tomorrow without disrupting today.
What is Cinos Cloud for Blue Light?
Cinos Cloud for Blue Light is a UK‑sovereign, Cisco-powered communications platform built in partnership with Netcall specifically for UK emergency services. Designed to support 999 and critical services, the service offers 99.999% uptime SLA, fast routing of public contacts to the right control room operator, seamless interoperability with existing control room systems, and full compliance with UK security and regulatory frameworks.
It is built on three core principles:
Phased Migration to De-Risk Transformation of Critical Communications
Despite the name, it doesn’t have to be cloud only. Understanding that not all organisations are ready to leap into cloud-first models, we have developed a carefully phased approach in which you choose the pace of change. Essentially, we offer a smooth migration path to a system that’s more resilient and less exposed to risk than your current setup — with future-ready capabilities built in from the start.
Phase 1
Familiar Foundations
The first step of the journey can see systems fully deployed on-premise, matching your current setup with no disruption to existing workflows. Devices connect locally and send calls to your existing PSTN. Crucially, at this stage, we eliminate end-of-life concerns, ongoing upgrade cycles, and system patching, while laying a secure foundation for future cloud adoption.
Phase 2
Start Small with Cloud Resilience
The second step and first move towards cloud is via ‘hybrid cloud’, which (for example) can see 50% of your infrastructure remain on-premise for live critical services, and the remaining 50% mirrored in the cloud. This low-risk approach formally adopts cloud, by simply using it to provide additional resilience and failover to your locally deployed live environment.
Phase 3
Controlled Cloud Transition of Live Services
The third step marks the transition of live services. With infrastructure in place, the ‘active’ environment is switched from on-premise to the cloud. This approach delivers the full operational benefits of the cloud; with the added reassurance of local redundancy should you ever need it.
Phase 4
Cloud with Confidence
When you’re ready, take the final step and unlock everything a cloud-native environment has to offer. This step could be as simple as migrating the remaining on-premise ‘standby’ systems into cloud data centres (ours, yours, or a trusted third party). Alternatively, it could be the point where you choose to transition fully to public cloud services such as Webex.
Cinos Cloud for Blue Light: Key Features
This shift opens the door to a host of powerful capabilities designed to improve public service delivery, support frontline staff, and modernise critical communications. Key features include:
Microsoft Teams Integrated
Continue your adoption of MS 365 and align with NEP initiatives by underpinning Teams with our robust reliable calling platform. No need for additional Microsoft calling licensing, our service delivers calls directly into the client.
Address Abandoned Calls Easily
When emergency calls don’t connect, following up is vital. Automate follow up with our outbound telephone dialler and branded digital messaging for non-critical lines to ensure a first-class public service.
Improved Public Service
Ensure you meet SLAs on critical calls with our end-to-end communications core that guarantees calls find their way to your team quickly, reliably and with all the required data to serve the public.
Support Your Staff
A people-centric solution that recognises the stressful life of a control room member, allowing them to ‘tap out’ after difficult calls and use AI-enabled tools to ease their workload by automating tasks like THRIVE assessments and call wrap up.
End-to-end Control Room Communications
More than just a phone system. Our industry open standards provide the best possible platform for onward integration with control room systems, and with tried and tested fixed integrations with control room providers such as Sopra Steria, provides a complete critical calling solution.
Cost Savings
A cost-effective service which integrates with existing systems and provides unlimited free calls to UK landline and mobile numbers with the Cinos SIP PSTN service, reducing your monthly/annual spend on communications.
Data Driven Communications
Full reporting, recording, transcription and AI-powered analytics give you better visibility of public contacts, and the information required to make important decisions in critical situations.
De-Risk Communications
Eliminate the need for constant updates and upgrades to keep systems operational and supported with our evergreen managed communications service.
Audio Visual Support
Our AV expertise ensures the clear and effective presentation of communications, supporting enhanced situational awareness within the control room.
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A cloud transition doesn’t need to be disruptive. With our phased, low-risk approach, emergency services can modernise critical communications at a pace that suits them — all while keeping services operational and compliant.  |
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| Richard Evans
Chief Technology Officer, Cinos
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Whether you’re ready to start small or make a full move, Cinos is here to help you transition with confidence. Get in touch to begin your journey today.
