{TESS+} is the primary global focal point for guidance and support on Security Communication Systems for the United Nations Security Management System and NGOs.
What’s new?
📣 {TESS+} Global SCS Training Programme – applications are now open for the technical session for those with an ICT background from UN organisations and NGOs. The training is fully online, free for participants, and will be delivered in the first two weeks of November 2026. Spots are limited, apply now! The application deadline is 30 September 2026. Click here for more information.
📣 UNICEF has produced new videos on how to use a satellite phone and handheld VHF/UHF radio. The 2-minute videos, available in Arabic, French, Spanish and English, cover different models of satellite phones including Thuraya, IsatPhone and Iridium. They are a handy resource share with staff. Click here to download them from the {TESS+} Public Library.
📣 {TESS+} has published a new guidance document on how to configure Radio Mobile software to plot UN SCS VHF-UHF radio coverage maps. Click here to download the guidance document and configuration files from the {TESS+} Public Library.
📣 {TESS+} has updated the VHF-UHF technical standards for the UN Security Communications System (SCS) to cover a newly tested Motorola handheld radio model and indicate officially discontinued radios. The standards are published in English, French and Spanish. Click here to get them.
📣 {TESS+} has recently launched the Digital SCS Scorecard, a new online platform designed to offer intuitive navigation and clear visualization of UN Security Communications System (SCS) data. It is organized into four interactive dashboards, each providing progressively deeper levels of detail to help users explore global, regional, and country-specific SCS information. The Digital SCS Scorecard platform is open to personnel from UNSMS organisations. For instructions on how to register read the user guide which is published on UNSMIN and in the {TESS+} Restricted Library.
Missions –
Recent & Upcoming
Aug 2026: eTA Command Center & eTA 2.2 (webinar)
Jul 2026: Coverage maps & repeater linking (webinar)
June 2026: Mission in Cameroon
May 2026: Mission in Djibouti
April 2026: Satellite Direct-to-Device (webinar)
April 2026: SCS assessment mission in Kosovo
webinars
{TESS+} webinar: eTA Command Center & eTA app
Date/time: 26 August 2026
To join the webinar: this webinar is in the past
Quiz link: click here
*Click here to access past {TESS+} webinars.
Scheduled trainings
Contact us at tess@wfp.org to discuss your SCS training needs.
Our story
Setup in 2018 at the request of the Inter-Agency Security Management Network (IASMN, chaired by UNDSS) and the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC, chaired by WFP), {TESS+} is an institutionalised service to the United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) and NGO community. {TESS+} provides recommendations on the standardization of UN Security Communication Systems (SCS) in terms of connectivity, applications and procedures. A large part of the work of {TESS+} is to provide active field support, guiding and assisting the UNSMS in establishing pragmatic and cost-effective SCS solutions based on endorsed standards. Mandated by the IASMN and the ETC, and facilitated by the World Food Programme (WFP), {TESS+} works in collaboration with all UN entities, in consultation with NGOs (represented through the ETC), individual telecommunications and security professionals, academia, private and public sector.
{TESS+} conducts in-country technical missions to support UNDSS and ICTWGs to maintain their SCS
{TESS+} supports the UNSMS to standardise SCS implementations
Ensuring the safety and security of UN and NGO personnel is a basic requirement for all field operations.
{TESS+} in numbers:
132+
Missions conducted
105
Countries visited
by {TESS+} missions
2.5M $
Cost savings on
investment (annual)
81
Online webinars & trainings delivered by {TESS+}
8199
Participants joined {TESS+} webinars and trainings
{TESS+} resources:
- {TESS+} public library – open to everyone.
- {TESS+} restricted library – open for registered UN personnel only. Follow the steps here to register.
- UNSMIN – {TESS+} page – open to security professionals from UNSMS orgs. Contact your HQ Security for access.
- ETC website – {TESS+} page
- WFP website – {TESS+} page
- Remote Security Operations Centre (RSOC) factsheet
- {TESS+} factsheet
- Motorola R5 Handheld Radio Test Report – pre-qualified for use in radio-based UNSCS networks
- Motorola R5 Firmware Upgrade Details
{TESS+} Online Community:
The {TESS+} Online Community is an informal virtual space to exchange ideas and discuss any topic related to the SCS and {TESS+}. It brings together all people interested in Telecommunications Security Standards or “{TESS+}” services. Currently the {TESS+} Online Community has more than 1400 members from various backgrounds including UN, NGO, private sector, academia, and more. We encourage all interested people to join the {TESS+} Online Community to receive the latest announcements from {TESS+} including updates to UN SCS standards, webinar invitations, and online and in-person training opportunities.
Membership is free and open to anyone interested in {TESS+} including personnel from UN entities, NGOs and the private/public/academic sector with a focus on those in ICT and security roles. Simply send an email to tess@wfp.org stating your name, organization and contact number and you will be added to the {TESS+} Online Community.
{TESS+} Telecommunications Security Standards 