The new public early warning system, CY‑Alert, will finally come into operation on 2 June, through which citizens will receive immediate emergency notifications on their mobile phones in cases where life, safety or public order is at risk.
It is a system aligned with European Union rules and the EU‑Alert system, making Cyprus the 16th country to install this specific system.
The system was presented yesterday during a joint press conference by the Minister of Interior Constantinos Ioannou and the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Dr Nicodemos Damianou, in the presence of the Deputy Commander of Civil Defence Theodoros Lemoniatis.
How CY‑Alert works
CY‑Alert is based on Cell Broadcast technology and allows the sending of real-time alerts to all mobile devices located within a specific geographical area, without requiring an internet connection or the installation of an application. It is clarified that the messages will be received as notifications and not SMS.
According to what was stated at the press conference, alerts will be sent regardless of the mobile provider or the country of origin of the SIM card, while they will override even the silent or mute mode of the device, accompanied by a characteristic sound signal and strong vibration. In this way, those within the coverage area, even if they are visitors or do not have a Cypriot number, will also be informed of emergency situations. The new system will not be affected by network congestion, as had been observed at the beginning of the war in the Middle East and during test messages.
As clarified by the Deputy Minister, the project was implemented in cooperation with mobile network providers and international technology partners, without collecting or storing personal data or device information.
What citizens need to do
The only requirement for receiving alerts is that the mobile phone is updated to the latest available version of Android or iOS software.
Messages will be sent by Civil Defence through the networks of licensed mobile providers and will include information about the danger or emergency situation, as well as instructions for protection or evacuation from affected areas.
Civil Defence also explained the process that citizens must follow on their devices so that they can receive the messages. The Deputy Minister even thanked the technology company Apple, which created a software update specifically for device users in Cyprus so that it is compatible with CY‑Alert.
The Minister of Interior Constantinos Ioannou noted that immediate information can play a decisive role in protecting human lives and property, acknowledging “the weaknesses observed in the past” and stressing the usefulness of the new system in view of the wildfire season.
Test alerts
During the first three weeks of the system’s operation, test exercises will be carried out in real conditions, with citizens possibly receiving test alerts in Greek and English. The test alerts will be conducted in coordination with local authorities to avoid causing public alarm and will be marked as “Test”. Civil Defence called on citizens to follow the department’s official social media pages for all related updates.
