International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and SafeGov.org Provide Law Enforcement Industry Clear Path Forward for Cloud Computing

WASHINGTON, Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and SafeGov.org will co-host Leveraging the Cloud for Law Enforcement, a symposium taking place tomorrow, January 31^st at the Newseum in Washington, D.C.  The symposium will explore critical questions around the ways law enforcement agencies can best leverage their transition to cloud computing and the security implications associated with this shift, and will be led by preeminent law enforcement and cloud technology experts. Keynote presentations will be delivered by Dr. Richard Holgate, Chief Information Officer, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Congressman Mike Rogers (R-MI), Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and Mr. Jerome Pender, Executive Assistant Director, Information and Technology Branch, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). IACP President, Chief Craig T. Steckler, (Fremont Police Department) will also address the conference and provide closing remarks.

"Cloud computing represents an important shift in the way information resources are managed and deployed by law enforcement agencies," said Bart Johnson, Executive Director, IACP. "Realizing the substantial potential benefits of cloud computing, however, requires that we recognize the sensitivity of law enforcement information, make every effort to maintain the security and availability of key systems and data, and that we work closely with industry to build solutions that meet the critical and evolving needs of law enforcement."

IACP will release Guiding Principles on Cloud Computing in Law Enforcement at the event. The principles establish parameters for the exploration of cloud-based computing solutions and services. The principles address some of the most tangible benefits that cloud computing offers, including cost savings, rapid deployment of critical resources, off-site storage and disaster recovery, and dynamic provisioning of new and additional resources.

Richard Falkenrath, Principal at the Chertoff Group and former NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Counterterrorism said, "This symposium provides a timely forum for crucial discussions about security and data protection issues of cloud solutions in law enforcement, and an exploration of how this technology can be implemented in the most reliable and secure way. There are a myriad of questions surrounding whether cloud solutions comply with security standards in the law enforcement space, including the FBI's CJIS security policies. This symposium will address and hopefully answer some of these difficult questions for the law enforcement community."

Falkenrath will also join experts from SafeGov and the IACP to announce the results of an IACP/SafeGov commissioned survey, conducted by the Ponemon Institute, which examined how police officials view the potential of cloud computing in the law enforcement environment. The survey findings come from a representative sample of the IACP's membership. Over half of the 272 agency respondents indicated that they had implemented or were planning or considering implementing cloud-based solutions. Nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of respondents view compliance with FBI CJIS Security Policies as crucial for cloud-based computing, and 87 percent support IACP developing model clauses for cloud procurement contracts banning inappropriate or unauthorized use of customer data by cloud providers and reinforcing the confidentiality and security requirements of law enforcement data.

The symposium is designed to explore these important issues and assess the benefits, challenges, and potential of leveraging cloud-based solutions for law enforcement agencies of all size and jurisdiction. Recognizing the sensitivity of law enforcement information, and the special responsibilities that the system has to ensure the accuracy, reliability, security, and availability of data within their control, however, demonstrates some of the challenges that agencies face in evaluating the potential use of this new computing paradigm.

About IACP:
The International Association of Chiefs of Police is a dynamic organization that serves as the professional voice of law enforcement. Building on their past success, the IACP addresses cutting edge issues confronting law enforcement through advocacy, programs and research, as well as training and other professional services. IACP is a comprehensive professional organization that supports the law enforcement leaders of today and develops the leaders of tomorrow.

About SafeGov.org:
SafeGov.org is an online forum for IT providers and leading industry experts dedicated to promoting trusted and responsible cloud computing solutions for the public sector. By fostering a more comprehensive understanding of cloud technologies, including their benefits, capabilities and limitations, SafeGov.org works to empower government users to make well-informed procurement choices from the growing universe of marketplace offerings.

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SOURCE SafeGov.org