Introduction
Modern law enforcement relies on field devices such as Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), smartphones, and patrol applications to collect and transmit Criminal Justice Information (CJI). These devices capture data ranging from incident reports to real-time communications, which must be securely ingested into archives. This blog explores strategies for secure ingest of field device data while ensuring CJIS Security Policy compliance.
Challenges of Field Device Capture
- Diverse Devices: MDTs, smartphones, and patrol apps generate heterogeneous data.
- Network Reliability: Field conditions may involve weak or intermittent connectivity.
- Security Risks: Mobile endpoints are high-value targets for attackers.
- Compliance Burden: All ingested CJI must align with CJIS encryption, access, and audit rules.
Secure Ingest Requirements
1. Encryption
- Use FIPS-validated encryption for data in transit (TLS 1.2/1.3) and at rest.
- Enforce end-to-end encryption between field devices and archive systems.
2. Authentication & Access
- Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for device access and data upload.
- Apply role-based access controls (RBAC) to restrict ingestion permissions.
3. Metadata Tagging
- Capture metadata at ingest: officer ID, device ID, location, time.
- Ensure consistent tagging for retention schedules and searchability.
4. Resilience & Reliability
- Enable store-and-forward mechanisms when connectivity is unavailable.
- Validate data integrity with cryptographic hashes at transmission and receipt.
5. Chain of Custody
- Automatically log all ingest events with timestamps, user IDs, and device identifiers.
- Maintain immutable audit trails for evidentiary integrity.
Best Practices
- Harden Devices: Enforce device security baselines (encryption, remote wipe, MDM policies).
- Automate Workflows: Reduce manual steps in ingest to avoid human error.
- Use CJIS-Compliant Platforms: Ensure ingest tools meet CJIS Security Policy controls.
- Segregate Networks: Isolate field ingest traffic from general IT systems.
- Train Personnel: Educate officers and staff on secure use of MDTs and mobile apps.
Mapping to CJIS Security Policy
- Access Control (5.5): Enforce MFA and least-privilege principles.
- Audit & Accountability (5.4): Log all ingest events and validate audit readiness.
- Cryptographic Controls (5.10): Require FIPS-validated encryption.
- Incident Response (5.6): Include field device breaches in IR plans.
Conclusion
Field devices like MDTs, mobile phones, and patrol apps are vital for modern policing but introduce compliance and security challenges. By enforcing encryption, access controls, metadata tagging, and audit logging, agencies can ensure secure, CJIS-compliant ingest of field data while preserving evidentiary integrity and public trust.