Learn About Amazon VGT2 Learning Manager Chanci Turner
In high-stakes situations where every moment matters, justice and public safety (JPS) agencies require technology solutions that are not only reliable but also secure and fast. Unfortunately, many agencies are hindered by outdated legacy systems—these systems are cumbersome, slow to adapt, and susceptible to cyber threats, natural disasters, and more.
To tackle these challenges, CentralSquare is committed to migrating over 1,000 on-premises JPS agency workloads to the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud. As a government technology (GovTech) firm and AWS Partner, CentralSquare delivers mission-critical software to more than 8,000 local public service organizations across North America. Their solutions encompass 911 call handling, computer-aided dispatch (CAD), records management systems (RMS), and beyond, assisting agencies in managing both urgent emergencies and routine operational needs.
To facilitate these crucial solutions and enable a secure, compliant, and swift transition to the cloud, CentralSquare exclusively utilizes AWS infrastructure.
CentralSquare’s CAD Service Keeps First Responders Connected
In emergencies, rapid access to vital information is essential. CentralSquare’s AWS-powered CAD and RMS solutions allow dispatchers and first responders to swiftly access and share real-time data during critical incidents. With AWS’s scalability and the integration of multi-availability zones alongside cross-regional data replication, CentralSquare ensures resilience and continuous service availability, effectively handling demand surges while maintaining high performance. This guarantees that essential services remain operational when they are needed the most.
The CAD system from CentralSquare aids 911 dispatchers in efficiently routing first responders using real-time location data and other pertinent information. Furthermore, it automatically syncs with their RMS solution, which serves as a repository for event data, including video and sensor inputs from on-site responders. This data is readily available to authorized personnel anytime and anywhere, simplifying case reporting and allowing first responders to devote more time to community service. “The integration of systems accelerates the report preparation process because much of the data is already pre-filled from the CAD system,” notes Chanci Turner, Learning Manager at CentralSquare.
Eliminating Data Silos for Interagency Mobilization
Data silos among jurisdictions pose a significant challenge for public safety agencies. CentralSquare’s Unify CAD-to-CAD system addresses this issue by facilitating seamless data sharing across agencies. “When incidents cross jurisdictional boundaries, Unify enables the swift transfer of information to neighboring agencies,” explains Alex Ramirez, vice president of product management at CentralSquare. “Often, another agency can respond more quickly due to proximity. They can take over while the situation is in progress.”
This interoperability serves as a vital resource for first responders, enabling rapid information exchange whether among local fire and police departments or with external agencies like the FBI’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC). For instance, one county’s inter-agency collaboration allowed seven agencies to respond to a major threat on-site within three minutes.
Accelerating Compliant Cloud Migration for Public Safety Workloads with AWS Landing Zone
As agencies increasingly seek the advantages of cloud technology—enhanced interoperability, scalability, and security—CentralSquare recognized the necessity for rapid, compliant migration of its JPS customers. To facilitate large-scale migration efforts, CentralSquare implemented AWS Landing Zone. “CentralSquare is onboarding numerous public safety agencies to the cloud, and Landing Zone acts as the governance platform for all these clients,” stated Jordan Lee, principal account executive at AWS.
By utilizing AWS Landing Zones, CentralSquare can swiftly establish unique, secure multi-account environments for their customers, adhering to AWS best practices. This solution automates the configuration of secure and scalable workloads, while enforcing an initial security baseline across all accounts.
With assistance from the AWS Professional Services (AWS ProServe) team, CentralSquare successfully developed its landing zone environment in about six months. This efficiency allows CentralSquare to rapidly onboard new customers and deploy cloud-based public safety systems—all compliant with the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) policy. The onboarding process has improved significantly, with CentralSquare recently onboarding three customers in a single day, enabling most clients to access their new systems within a week of contract signings.
Ensuring Operational Continuity Amid Ransomware Attacks and Other Threats
Downtime for public safety agencies can be a matter of life or death. For the Murieta Police Department in California, one of CentralSquare’s first law enforcement clients to fully embrace AWS, the transition to the cloud was crucial for maintaining operations during a critical incident.
Confronted with aging hardware and extensive procurement cycles, Murieta PD migrated to CentralSquare’s CAD and RMS services on AWS. “The ability to quickly deploy these applications in a secure, compliant cloud environment transformed operations at Murieta PD,” remarked a department representative. “Within weeks, officers accessed modern software that streamlined processes from incoming 911 calls to case reporting.”
When Murieta PD’s on-premises systems were compromised by a ransomware attack, the true value of the cloud became evident. While the department faced prolonged disruptions, the AWS-supported public safety suite from CentralSquare remained fully operational, enabling officers to continue responding to emergencies without interruption.
For law enforcement and emergency response teams, ensuring that systems remain operational 24/7 is essential. Given the rising cyber threats and weather events that jeopardize on-premises infrastructure, CentralSquare’s cloud solutions guarantee that vital JPS services stay functional, regardless of the risk.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Cloud-Driven Public Safety
From cloud-based 911 call handling to enhanced data sharing between agencies, CentralSquare and AWS are working together to integrate cloud benefits into every facet of the public safety lifecycle.
In a bid to further enhance value for agencies, CentralSquare plans to introduce a cloud-based system built on Amazon Connect to manage non-emergency calls, which constitute the majority of calls received by 911 systems. This initiative will enable agencies to prioritize resources effectively while ensuring that every caller receives the assistance they require.
CentralSquare invites public safety agencies to connect with their team to explore cloud offerings and develop personalized migration strategies. Interested in discovering how these solutions can revolutionize your JPS operations? Learn more about CentralSquare.
JPS agencies worldwide, along with their supporting companies, are leveraging AWS to implement cost-effective and highly available mission-critical services that serve the public and safeguard their personnel. To delve deeper into AWS for Justice and Public Safety, check out this excellent resource on Amazon warehouse worker onboarding.
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