Look to the cloud: Perks and pitfalls of digital evidence management

The following is paid content sponsored by L-3 Mobile-Vision

By Police1 BrandFocus Staff

Ready or not the cloud is coming to your department. In the age of body-worn cameras, in-car video and ruggedized multi-purpose tablets law enforcement agencies need a place to store data coming from a variety of sources and devices. But before you jump into a data storage solution it’s critical to understand the implications and next steps -- it could save your organization time, money and overall resources.

More often than not the cloud saves organizations money

Unlike digital photos, digital video requires significantly more storage space -- even more than traditional servers can provide, in most cases. What’s more, storage needs in these scenarios can be exacerbated by the number of body-worn cameras or in-car video cameras your agency operates. Even a relatively small fleet can require large data stores -- and this may come with a large price tag.

Here’s a good example: according to the IACP, one 30-minute MP4 video may take 800 MB of storage. Storing this data requires physical equipment, systems, utilities and personnel most agencies don’t have and can’t afford to add to their existing infrastructure. That’s where cloud computing comes in. Cloud computing solutions are 100% scalable and provide significant short- and long-term savings with no infrastructure changes.

But you’ve got to know what you’re doing

While it’s likely you’ll save money with a cloud storage solution, be wary of the “decoy price” -- suspiciously low pricing, usually around $15 -$20 per month. Though these platforms sound affordable they often don’t come with the level of storage an agency needs in the long-term -- and by the time users discover this discrepancy they’re already locked into ongoing contracts.

A good example? The Birmingham, Alabama Police Department looked at a cloud storage package valued at $1 million, but according to William Brewer, head of the Birmingham Police Department’s Technology Division, they realized that “the biggest problem was the cost of the storage…they do offer unlimited storage, but it’s quite costly –well above the $1 million for the package we had looked at.

So how can your department avoid this pitfall?

First, don’t underestimate the amount of video you will need to store. Look at the amount of included data in any vendor proposal and determine:

1. How much total storage will I need, and does this contract meet or exceed those expectations?

2. Are there additional download costs or any hidden fees not included in the proposed monthly cost?

3. How much will my agency spend per GB after included storage has been exhausted?

Consider this: if an officer’s body-worn camera is recording for an entire shift the content will likely include hours of unnecessary data -- and that means plenty of unnecessary storage costs. Implementing a policy on what gets recorded and stored along with standard retention time could save your agency thousands of dollars or more each year.

Above all, the cloud keeps data safe

With the recent boom of body-worn cameras -- and the subsequent need to store the data they generate -- more and more agencies have begun integrating cloud storage solutions to keep critical evidence safe and secure. Cloud-based systems offer a host of security advantages over traditional storage methods, from secure log-ins and user roles limiting access to a lower likelihood of breaches and content corruption.

How L3Capture.com can help
With more recent Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security policies surrounding digital evidence management it’s essential law enforcement agencies adopt solutions that will ensure they’re in complete compliance at all times.The cloud will help you maintain compliance

With nearly three decades of experience in the law enforcement market, L-3 Mobile-Vision understands the unique needs that agencies face. Their technology solutions help departments keep pace with ever-evolving policies and best practices.

With L3Capture.com, L-3 Mobile-Vision’s new cloud storage solution for body-worn cameras, law enforcement agencies can have the tools they need to protect digital evidence in way that is both efficient and at a price that law agencies can afford. L3capture.com also offers automatic purging of data to help reduce unnecessary storage costs and aid in compliance with retention policies.

As you evaluate data storage solutions for your digital evidence management system it’s critical to weigh your needs -- compliant platforms, trustworthy security and comprehensive access -- and determine the best next steps for your agency now and in the future. Start by simply doing the math. Chances are you’ll see that the cloud is the optimal solution for securely storing digital evidence cost effectively.

To learn more about this digital evidence management solution, click here.