Cybercrime is a serious and prevalent threat in today’s society. Virtually every sector has been impacted by digital security breaches, from businesses to governmental entities. While the focus of law enforcement has traditionally been on stopping physical threats, increasingly agencies must now also deal with cyber threats, including attempted breaches of police department communication systems and data.
As assets like in-car camera systems, body worn camera footage, and LIDAR data become more widely used as digital evidence, there is increasing focus on finding the most secure ways to store digital evidence.
The Role of Encryption
Encryption of all sensitive data has been an important strategy in combating data hacks. At the most basic level, this means password-protecting any data storage. However, passwords can be guessed or cracked by brute-force algorithms. Even safer is the use of an encryption key reserved for authorized personnel only.
Kustom Signals’ products, for example, use a 256-bit hash value MD5 function. This form of encryption breaks data up into chunks of 512-bit blocks, which can’t be read without the appropriate decryption key.
But what exactly should you be encrypting? In essence, everything, from hard drives and external drives to cloud storage and backup systems. The department should consider all the different places their data may be held, and make sure that each one is encrypted.
Cloud Storage
All types of organizations need to prioritize cloud storage safety and security to protect sensitive data from cyber threats. In addition to ensuring strong encryption protocols, other key considerations include implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for accessing cloud storage, and regularly updating security policies. Organizations should also work with reputable cloud providers that offer compliance with industry standards, such as GDPR or HIPAA, and monitor for potential vulnerabilities. Regular backups, data governance practices, and staff training on safe cloud usage are essential for maintaining security and mitigating data breaches.
Sophisticated Authentication Protocols
Sophisticated authentication protocols are now widely used in securing cloud storage systems, with bio-identification being a prime example. These methods use biometric data, such as fingerprint scanning, facial recognition, or retina scans, to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive information. Bio-identification adds an extra layer of security, as biometric traits are unique to each individual and much harder to replicate than traditional passwords.
Beyond biometrics, adaptive authentication adjusts the level of security based on the user’s behavior or location. Hardware-based security keys that generate one-time authentication codes are also gaining popularity. These advanced protocols reduce the risk of unauthorized access, making cloud storage far more secure in today’s threat landscape.
Physical Security
Most police departments are very secure places, which means that physically securing data storage shouldn’t be too difficult with a little forethought. Servers should be in a secure location, and any access points should be locked.
Keeping a low profile is also helpful in keeping servers safe from outsiders. Clearly marked server rooms may act as a target for interference. Physical security should also extend to staff-owned storage devices. Many departments may restrict or ban the use of personal devices in order to keep all data securely in-house.
Metadata
Digital evidence is especially important to guard against any kind of tampering. For data to be trusted in the courtroom, there needs to be no doubt as to whether or not it has been altered in any way. Data collection devices and management software use metadata, which includes details about data, such as file creation dates, user access logs, and the relationships between data sets, which can reveal patterns, user behaviors, and even sensitive insights.
Securing metadata associated with digital police evidence is crucial because it provides vital information about the authenticity, chain of custody, and context of the evidence. Metadata helps establish when and how digital evidence was collected and whether it has been tampered with. If metadata is not properly secured, it can be altered or manipulated, which will jeopardize the integrity of the evidence in legal proceedings.
Choosing the Data Management Solution
Eventually, all police digital data will need to be uploaded, managed and retrieved by back-office software. A key step in assuring information remains safe is to make sure the department is using an efficient and secure data management software system.
Most departments will need a variety of users to access the data, so having it stored centrally and then accessible from a variety of devices is crucial. These users will also need a range of permissions, as some people will only need to view the data without needing the rights to move or tag it. Still others will need to audit the data, requiring further permissions to see log files.
Argus Data Vault from Kustom Signals provides a multifaceted solution that addresses a variety of concerns associated with digital evidence management. This innovative data management system allows users to retrieve crucial footage for investigations, court proceedings, and internal reviews, ensuring an airtight chain of custody and streamlined collaboration. Choose between a local deployment with on-premises storage or a fully cloud-hosted solution without sacrificing security or functionality.
Contact Kustom Signals today to learn more.