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Five Things You Need To Know About Keeping Your Officers Connected

NCJ Number
220049
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 34 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2007 Pages: 84,86,89
Author(s)
Mike Bourre
Date Published
August 2007
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article identifies and discusses five issues that must be considered when building a mobile network that gives law enforcement officers in the field wireless access to a broad range of information and the capability of transmitting data to and communicating interactively with central command and other network participants.
Abstract
First, it is mandatory that network users respect and secure the data shared over wireless networks. Security measures should include data encryption, encapsulation, and verification. Security is often accomplished through a user name and password in combination with a token key or biometric device that gives an officer access to the network. "Connectionware" validates the password with the token key or biometric device and applies a static IP address in order to identify the user with the agency's database. Second, agencies should leverage the best network. "Connectionware" (integrated component that translates, transfers, and links data as it travels between applications and the network) is available that allows information technology (IT) managers to configure network connections automatically based on the department's preferred choice. Third, the connectionware should keep applications running smoothly as the system reconnects to the network and continues to send/receive data where it left off when a signal was dropped. Fourth, connectionware is a way for managers to cooperate with agencies that use applications with different data formats; and it is a way to leverage existing applications that may not speak the same data languages. Fifth, connectionware provides a network with the capability of managing data conversion, the integration of applications, and network connections without engaging the officers in the field. IT managers can configure the connectionware so that it automatically selects the most appropriate network as officers travel through the jurisdiction.