Innovating with Public Safety Cloud Solutions

Mobility

With an internet connection, dispatchers can access cloud-connected services and work from anywhere, providing flexibility and supporting remote work arrangements. This can lead to increased job satisfaction and access to a broader talent pool, further reducing staffing challenges faced by many PSAPs across North America.

Security

Leading cloud providers invest heavily in security measures to protect customer data, including encryption, access controls, and security audits. While security remains a shared responsibility, the cloud can offer many agencies a more secure / monitored environment than traditional on-premises solutions.

Cost of Ownership

Cloud services can significantly reduce costs related to purchasing, maintaining, and upgrading IT infrastructure. By utilizing cloud providers, organizations can shift from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operational expenditure (OpEx), paying only for what they use, which can lead to substantial savings.

Scalability

Cloud services provide the ability to scale resources up or down based on demand, allowing agencies to handle peak loads without investing in physical infrastructure. This scalability ensures that agencies can adapt to growth or changes in demand quickly and efficiently.

Continuity

With data stored in the cloud, agencies can ensure continuity in the face of unexpected events, such as natural disasters or cyberattacks. Cloud providers can provide robust backup and disaster recovery plans, reducing downtime and data loss risks. Now that we understand some of the increasing benefits public safety cloud solutions can provide a public safety agency, let’s review some of the cloud services currently being utilized by public safety agencies in North America.

DISPATCH CONSOLE SYSTEMS

Enlite™ Cloud Ready Dispatch

Enlite Cloud Ready Dispatch is an advanced mission-critical console system. Enlite acts as a bridge between disparate communication resources such as Land Mobile Radio (LMR), digital radios (P25), telephony, and Mission Critical Push-to-Talk (MCPTT). Quickly patch together these resources in a holistic way that compliments your current workflows. Enlite’s flexible architecture allows public safety agencies to deploy their way, whether entirely on-premises, hosted in the cloud, or a hybrid of both. Being a web-based application, Enlite operates through a standard Chromium browser and can be deployed on a Windows desktop PC, laptop, Android smartphone, or tablet. InterTalk Enlite addresses the challenges of today’s radio dispatch systems, maximizing location and usability flexibility, informational intelligence, integration, security, reliability, and cost-effective technological relevance.

Application in Public Safety

Technology Bridging: Fully integrate with your current on-premises 911 dispatch software and systems, LMR, P25, analog radio, and all types of telephone systems, providing a seamless migration to cloud technologies now and in the future.

Connect Anywhere: Enable intelligent dispatch communications from almost anywhere through an Internet-connected (wired, WiFi, LTE, or satellite) Windows desktop, laptop, Android tablet, and/or smartphone.

CRIME ANALYSIS AND REPORTING TOOLS

Accurint® Virtual Crime Center

The Accurint® Virtual Crime Center, developed by LexisNexis® Risk Solutions, is an investigative platform designed to enhance the capabilities of law enforcement agencies. It integrates and analyzes vast amounts of data to support crime-solving efforts. The platform provides access to a comprehensive range of public and proprietary records, real-time jail booking and incarceration information, automated license plate recognition (ALPR) data, and more to aid investigations.

Application in Public Safety

Solving Crimes: By providing a holistic view of the data related to suspects, victims, and crimes, it aids law enforcement in piecing together evidence and solving crimes more efficiently.

Preventive Policing: Helps identify patterns and trends that can be used for predictive policing, thereby preventing crimes before they happen.

DIGITAL EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

DigitalOnQ

DigitalOnQ, part of the OnQ software suite by FileOnQ, is a digital evidence management solution designed to assist law enforcement agencies, government bodies, and other organizations in effectively managing digital evidence. This platform addresses the growing need for a secure, organized, and accessible system for storing, cataloging, and retrieving digital evidence, including photos, videos, audio recordings, documents, and other digital files generated during investigations and operational activities.

Application in Public Safety

Centralized Evidence Management: DigitalOnQ offers a centralized repository for all digital evidence, making it easier for authorized personnel to store, access, and manage evidence files efficiently. This centralization helps in maintaining the integrity and security of sensitive data.

Audit Trails and Compliance: The system automatically generates audit trails for all activities related to digital evidence, including access logs and actions taken on files. This feature supports compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, ensuring that evidence is handled according to established protocols.

GIS MAPPING

ArcGIS Online

ArcGIS Online is a comprehensive, cloud-based geographic information system (GIS) platform developed by Esri (Environmental Systems Research Institute). It enables users to create, manage, share, and analyze spatial data and maps. As a part of Esri’s ArcGIS suite, ArcGIS Online offers a wide array of tools and capabilities for mapping and spatial analysis, making it accessible to both GIS professionals and users without specialized GIS knowledge.

Application in Public Safety

Interactive Map Creation and Sharing: Users can easily create detailed, interactive maps that can be shared publicly or with specific groups. The platform provides access to a vast collection of base maps, data layers, and GIS capabilities.

Spatial Analysis Tools: It offers powerful spatial analysis tools that allow users to perform complex analyses and generate insights from their data. These tools can help identify patterns, assess trends, and make predictions.

PUBLIC SAFETY DRONES

DJI FlightHub

DJI’s FlightHub is a comprehensive cloud-based platform designed to efficiently manage drone operations for public safety agencies and more. It enables real-time drone fleet management, live streaming from drones to command centers, and data sharing among multiple users. FlightHub is designed to support DJI drones, which are widely used in public safety operations.

Application in Public Safety

Device and Pilot Management: Allows agencies to manage their fleet of drones and pilot assignments within a single platform, ensuring that equipment is properly maintained and pilots are assigned according to their qualifications and availability.

Situational Awareness: Supports live streaming of aerial footage directly from drones to the FlightHub platform, enabling remote stakeholders to view operations as they happen, enhancing situational awareness and decision-making.

IN CLOSING

It is clear that public safety cloud solutions are already making a significant impact in the industry. By providing a secure service with connect anywhere flexibility, public safety personnel can be more connected than ever, providing tools that decrease risk and enhance situational awareness. Due to the reduced upfront costs for on-site hardware, cloud services can provide substantial savings over their on-premises counterparts. Many of the services described above also provide a hybrid architecture that allows agencies to retain control of on-site equipment while benefiting from cloud connectivity. This is great for agencies that desire a slower migration to entirely cloud-hosted services. With continued investments in public safety grade networks such as AT&T FirstNet and Verizon Frontline, cloud solutions will continue to grow in adoption and provide unparalleled connectivity to the heroes that need it most.

FAQ

1. What is a Public Safety Cloud Solution?

Public Safety Cloud Solutions refer to services used by field personnel or at Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that are hosted on public services like AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, or private cloud networks maintained by an agency. These solutions can include emergency dispatch, field radios, and chain of custody logging recording.

2. How have public safety services evolved with cloud technology?

Over the past decade, the integration of cloud technology in public safety has significantly changed the way services are delivered. This includes reducing reliance on physical hardware, enabling more efficient communication, and integrating high-bandwidth data sources such as photos and videos.

3. What are the benefits of using cloud-hosted architecture in public safety?

Benefits include increased mobility and deployment flexibility, enhanced security measures, reduced cost of ownership, scalability to meet demand, and continuity of service in unexpected events.

4. What security measures do cloud providers offer?

Cloud providers invest in security measures like encryption, access controls, and security audits to protect data, offering a secure environment like traditional on-premises solutions.

5. How does cloud services’ scalability benefit public safety agencies?

Cloud services can scale resources based on demand, allowing agencies to manage peak loads without investing in physical infrastructure, ensuring quick adaptation to growth or changes.

Discover how public safety cloud solutions, such as Enlite Cloud Ready Dispatch, can revolutionize your operations today!