A method and a system for automated switchover timer's tuning on network systems or Next Generation Emergency Systems configured so that the sending, by a master node, of a heartbeat and/or ARP ping to one or more backup nodes and/or a surveillance unit according to preconfigured switchover timer values can occur to check if the master node is still active. One or more backup nodes and/or a surveillance unit, can use an additional first Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) OPTION message to the master node after receiving the heartbeat and/or the ARP ping or if the heartbeat and/or ARP ping fails to be received according to the switchover timer values. An administrator or an administrative unit of the network can perform a switchover or failover to a backup node in case the first SIP OPTION message is not answered with a suitable response by the master node.