ABIS Cloud Trends: Part 1

Fingerprints and facial images are essential elements among the massive amounts of law enforcement biometric data now stores, keys to truly accurate positive identification. Over the past decade, new technology has helped public safety agencies to shift from on-premise, locally managed data centers to more flexible cloud-based services models. Major ABIS vendors are now offering cloud-based solutions, and most agencies have adapted easily to the opportunities and challenges of this new business model. Dr. Bavarian of ABC, Inc. presented on the lessons of implementing cloud-based ABIS at the International Association of Identification (IAI) conference in 2022.

Security is a major concern for cloud data storage, however choosing a secure “.gov” solution allows agencies to share CJIS compliance responsibilities with cloud providers. The major CJIS-compliant vendors dominate the ABIS cloud market, and they are laser-focused on security issues. Microsoft Azure currently appears to be the preference of US-based ABIS users.

Most agencies store databases, workflows, and biometric services in the cloud; their disaster recovery is also built into a CJIS compliant cloud solution. Equipment for tenprint, latent, livescan, and mobile operations remains on-site. For daily operations, then, a reliable, high-speed connection to the cloud becomes a key issue.

Public safety agencies are now adopting the new technology and moving biometric identification data to the cloud.

Stay tuned for more on ABIS Cloud Trends next week!