Use of communications and information systems that are familiar to users is part of the Reliability, Scalability, and Portability key principle in NIMS communications and information management.

Quick answer

  • The specific key principle this phrase refers to is Reliability, Scalability, and Portability.
  • In FEMA/NIMS doctrine, “familiar to users” appears directly under the definition of reliable systems: communications and information systems should be reliable – familiar to users, adaptable to new technology, and dependable in any situation.

Why this is the correct principle

  • FEMA’s IS-700 NIMS training materials list four communications and information systems principles:
    • Interoperability
    • Reliability, Scalability, and Portability
    • Resilience and Redundancy
    • Security
  • Under the slide for Reliability, Portability and Scalability , FEMA explicitly states that systems should be reliable – familiar to users, adaptable to new technology, and dependable in any situation.
  • Some Q&A sites repeat this exact question and confirm the answer as Reliability, Scalability, and Portability , matching the FEMA wording.

Related context (helpful for tests)

  • Reliability : Systems are dependable, available when needed, and familiar enough that users can operate them under stress without extra training.
  • Scalability : Systems can handle a growing number of users and higher traffic as an incident expands.
  • Portability : Systems can be moved, deployed, and integrated across jurisdictions and agencies.

So, if you see the line “use of communications and information systems that are familiar to users is a part of which key principle?” on an exam, the correct choice is: Reliability, Scalability, and Portability.

Meta description : Learn which NIMS key principle includes “use of communications and information systems that are familiar to users,” why it’s Reliability, Scalability, and Portability , and how FEMA defines it.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.