Police data protection and security: What's at risk?
Today's police service relies heavily on the gathering, analysis and sharing of sensitive and confidential information across forces and organisations such as the Serious Organised Crime agency and other parts of the Criminal Justice System.
Recent, high-profile incidents of data breach and issues with police data protection have caused information security to move up the IT and managerial agenda:
- Loss of memory sticks containing 750 "vehicles of interest" and other intelligence information
- Theft of laptop containing the payroll and pension details of 15,000 police officers
- Attack by virus which could give criminals access to the Police National Computer causing systems to be uncoupled and quarantined
- Loss of a memory stick that allegedly contained information on terror suspects
- For police services, the threat of data breach is concerning not only in terms of protecting personal information, but may also have a detrimental impact on local or national security.
The challenge: Improve responsiveness, ensure security
In addition to improving responsiveness, dealing with ever increasing threats and sophisticated criminal activities, the modern Police Service is under pressure to enhance efficiency as part of public sector performance targets. While technological solutions clearly have an important role to play in driving the improvement agenda, concerns over the security of data distribution and access can limit the application and flexibility of these solutions.
Particular concerns around police data protection arise when sharing information outside the police firewall with remote staff and operatives, and enabling collaboration between distributed teams or third parties. In these circumstances the risk of data breach is heightened by the storing of information on laptops or other remote devices, and the transmission or sensitive information over public networks.
Typical issues
Remote workers and operatives are restricted from accessing the information they need from court, in the field, or from home, and so delay response.
With limited options for sending criminal records or intelligence information quickly and securely to other forces or agencies, vital time may be lost waiting for couriers.
Arranging meetings to discuss operations and intelligence, particularly across distributed teams, takes time and effort and significantly interrupts normal working practice.
Increase responsiveness, reduce risk and cut costs
With ISEEU Global Police Workforce Accessibility Solution, Police Services can:
- Access all necessary applications and intelligence data securely, from anywhere
- Send and receive information via highly secure & confidential methods
- Audit the workflow process and improve the service and organisational governance
- Easily collaborate in real-time using secure virtual meetings
- Be confident in meeting Government security standards - CESG Check accreditation, including two-factor authentication and data encryption as standard.
Want to know more?
Discover what the complete Police Accessibility Suite can offer your organisation, or for a no obligation demonstration and discussion of your particular information security challenges - contact us.