Case Study: New NCIC Requirements Mean More Equipment Investments For Law Enforcement Agencies

Under the most-recently published FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security guidelines, all systems accessing National Crime Information Center (NCIC) data must comply with new advanced user authentication requirements. These guidelines apply to access from both secure and remote locations, including office-based computers and in-vehicle laptops. FBI-approved advanced authentication methods include username and password; fingerprints or iris scans, which are grouped under biometric authentication; and a smart card or token that must be inserted into the USB port.

Section 8.3.2 of the CJIS Security Policy states that the CJIS system's data is sensitive information and security shall be afforded to prevent any unauthorized access, use or dissemination of the information. Improper access, use and dissemination of Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) and hot file information may result in the imposition of administrative sanctions including, but not limited to, termination of services and state and federal criminal penalties.

"With the FBI issuing new compliance guidelines for NCIC access, many smaller police departments and law enforcement agencies are under tremendous pressure to find a solution that fits their budgets," said Alan Shad, president of Rugged Notebooks™.