Modern-day policing accumulates a lot of data; body camera footage, in-car camera footage, computer aided dispatch files, accident reports, eyewitness interviews, evidence logs, and more. Yet, sharing that information has recently gotten easier. Thanks to the cloud, law enforcement agencies are swiftly able to transmit the information they have gathered to other police departments.
With cloud-based solutions, agencies can now store, access, and share critical data more efficiently than ever before. Cloud based computing is the foundation for these solutions, offering scalability, flexibility, and helping agencies meet regulatory compliance requirements. This shift provides a scalable and cost-effective approach, resulting in significant cost savings for law enforcement agencies. Cloud solutions are adaptable, allowing agencies to scale their resources and services as their needs change.
Cloud computing has revolutionized the way law enforcement agencies manage and utilize their data. By moving away from traditional on-premises solutions and embracing cloud-based solutions, agencies can now store, access, and share critical data more efficiently than ever before. Cloud computing offers a scalable and cost-effective approach to data storage and management, allowing law enforcement to adapt quickly to changing operational needs without the burden of maintaining physical servers or complex IT infrastructure.
With cloud-based solutions, law enforcement agencies benefit from enhanced data security, ensuring that sensitive information is protected against unauthorized access and cyber threats. Officers and command staff can access vital data from any location, enabling faster decision-making and more effective responses to incidents. This level of accessibility and flexibility supports modern policing strategies, improves operational efficiency, and ultimately enhances public safety. As technology continues to evolve, cloud computing stands out as an essential tool for law enforcement, providing the foundation for secure, reliable, and future-ready data management.
Before the cloud, physical servers housed within the walls of police departments made it challenging to distribute data to, and receive information from, other agencies. “When you are in two physical locations, there has to be a means to get that data from one server to the other and connect it,” said James Murphy III, Director of Sales at Getac Video Solutions. To overcome these barriers, many agencies have adopted cloud solutions for data backup, storage, and secure sharing.
The cloud, however, eliminates data silos, or the issue of the data being in separate locations not accessible to more than one department or agency. Police agencies, in particular, benefit from improved collaboration and data accessibility, making it easier to share critical information across jurisdictions.
The ease of data transfer with the cloud also eliminates a few other common issues when it comes to keeping agencies connected. Unlike traditional in-house data management, which relies on physical servers and internal infrastructure, cloud-based solutions offer greater flexibility and scalability.
As Tony Elder notes, “It’s a lot easier to manage, and you don’t have to worry about the hardware.” Cloud solutions also reduce the need for dedicated IT staff for routine system management and troubleshooting. Additionally, cloud-based platforms handle software maintenance and software updates automatically, minimizing the workload for internal teams and ensuring systems remain current without extra effort.
The cloud has made issues with bandwidth much less of a concern. Data sharing can sometimes mean exchanging terabytes of information. Previously, for smaller agencies who may only have 5MBps internet, those downloads could take days. With cloud-based solutions, “to share or transfer data to other agencies, District Attorneys, etc. the agency no longer needs the bandwidth to support streaming or sending that data from within their four walls,” Murphy said. “Instead, the agencies share the data directly from the cloud and the infrastructure needed to transfer that file or stream the video is not dependent on the agency that sent it.”
One technology which has seen a boost with police forces sharing their data in the cloud, is license plate recognition technology (ALPR). Previously, agencies would have to share their wants and warrant lists and ask other agencies to notify them when a suspect was spotted in their area. Now, officers can search the database easily.
The Charleston Police Department has seen these improvements first-hand after implementing the evidence management platform created by Getac Video and Microsoft. “Our systems require reliability and enough bandwidth for things like remote viewing capabilities, and we can better support that now,” said Tony Elder, Former Deputy Chief of the Charleston Police Department. “Simplified management has also streamlined our ability to share information and data with those who need it, when they need it, without having to go through the process of asking our IT department to make a bunch of changes.”
For law enforcement agencies, managing digital evidence is a task of utmost importance. Cloud storage solutions provide a secure and reliable way to store vast amounts of digital evidence, from body camera footage to case files and forensic images. Unlike traditional on-premises storage, cloud-based storage protects evidence from risks such as data loss, cyber attacks, and natural disasters, ensuring that critical information remains intact and accessible when needed.
Cloud-based evidence management systems streamline the process of organizing, tracking, and retrieving digital evidence. Officers can efficiently upload, categorize, and search for specific files, making it easier to maintain the chain of custody and comply with legal and regulatory requirements. These solutions also support collaboration, allowing authorized personnel to access evidence remotely and securely, which is especially valuable during investigations that span multiple jurisdictions. By adopting cloud-based evidence management and storage, law enforcement agencies not only safeguard their data but also improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen public safety outcomes.
Cloud-based solutions have revolutionized policing and ensuring secure video cloud storage remains critical. Cloud providers use highly secure, geographically distributed data centers to protect sensitive law enforcement data, ensuring redundancy and resilience against cyber attacks and natural disasters. In order to guarantee the safety and security of the cloud storage for law enforcement, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) has created a list of guidelines for law enforcement agencies to follow regarding the cloud.
“To meet the dynamic operational needs, while maintaining the security of systems and data, law enforcement agencies using or contemplating the use of cloud computing services should ensure that their planning and implementation of cloud solutions satisfactorily address the following key principles,” the IACP wrote.
Selecting a cloud provider that meets law enforcement-specific security requirements and compliance standards is essential. Many cloud providers serve government customers and maintain highly secure, geographically redundant data centers to ensure data security and recovery. Agencies are responsible for ensuring their data is managed according to regulations, and cloud providers invest a significant amount in security infrastructure to protect against cyber attacks and data loss. As agencies transition from legacy systems, integrating these with modern cloud solutions is crucial for maintaining compliance and operational efficiency. Specialized software solutions are also essential for law enforcement to meet compliance and security needs.
Source: IACP
Sharing information between law enforcement agencies is just one of the many benefits cloud-based solutions offer, all made possible by cloud based computing as the foundation for scalability, cost savings, and compliance. Murphy selected three other features he believes set these solutions apart.
Cloud solutions also support police operations by ensuring secure, reliable access to critical data, which is essential for protecting sensitive information and maintaining operational effectiveness.
The Charleston Police Department is required to store all recorded video 24 hours a day, for a minimum of 14 days. “That’s a lot of data,” said Tony Elder, Former Deputy Chief of the Charleston Police Department, “but we can support those needs with the Azure Government cloud’s scalability. Getac Video and Azure Government have given us what we needed, and it makes sense for us to move as many resources as we can to the cloud.” In addition, axon evidence is a leading cloud-based evidence management platform known for its robust security features and compliance with data regulations, offering significant advantages over traditional on-premises storage solutions.
Murphy stressed, however, that while there are many reasons for police cloud computing, ultimately, Getac Video is going to help you do what is best for your agency.
“We will come in and do an assessment, and we will cater to what is right for you and your agency,” he said. “We are truly there to build the solution that is right for the customer.” As one of the leading rugged computer providers, Getac offers extensive rugged computing product lines and serves a wide range of vertical markets.
The future of law enforcement technology is closely linked to the continued adoption of cloud computing and cloud-based solutions. As agencies generate and rely on increasing volumes of data, the need for advanced, secure, and scalable systems becomes even more critical. Cloud technology will enable law enforcement agencies to harness powerful tools such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT), driving new levels of operational efficiency and situational awareness.
Cloud-based solutions will also facilitate greater collaboration and data sharing between agencies, breaking down barriers and enabling a more unified approach to public safety. To fully realize these benefits, law enforcement agencies must invest in the right infrastructure, training, and resources, ensuring their teams are equipped to leverage the latest technology. By staying at the forefront of cloud innovation, agencies can enhance their ability to prevent and respond to crime, protect communities, and build a more resilient future for public safety.
Cloud-based solutions help agencies reduce infrastructure costs, improve data accessibility, and enable secure information sharing across jurisdictions.
Yes. Providers like Azure Government comply with law enforcement-specific regulations such as CJIS and IACP, offering geographically redundant data centers and strict access controls.
Agencies can store and retrieve body cam footage and other digital evidence securely without maintaining large physical servers. The cloud supports scalability as data volume grows.
Getac Video's evidence management platforms and rugged computing devices are built for seamless cloud integration, helping agencies improve workflow, compliance, and reliability.
Scott Worley is the Video Sales Director for Getac in North America. His background spans strategic roles in organizations such as Toshiba America, Digital Safety Technologies, and Utility Associates, driving exceptional results by adeptly managing sales teams and channel partners on a national scale.
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