Introduction

Digital evidence has become a critical part of modern law enforcement. Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs), in-car video systems, interview room recordings, surveillance cameras, photographs, mobile devices, and other technologies generate valuable information that may support investigations, internal reviews, prosecutions, and court proceedings.

As agencies collect and store more digital evidence, protecting that information from cyber threats becomes increasingly important. Unauthorized access, compromised user accounts, ransomware, phishing attacks, data loss, and other security incidents can disrupt operations and put sensitive information at risk.

Protecting digital evidence requires more than a single cybersecurity tool. Agencies need a layered security strategy that combines secure technology, strong authentication, access controls, encryption, audit logging, employee training, backups, incident response planning, and continuous monitoring. Modern Digital Evidence Management Systems (DEMS) can support these efforts by providing centralized security controls throughout the evidence lifecycle.

Why Digital Evidence Is a Cybersecurity Target

Digital evidence can contain highly sensitive information, including investigative materials, personally identifiable information, Body-Worn Camera footage, case records, and other restricted data.

A compromised evidence environment could potentially result in:

• Unauthorized evidence access
• Loss of sensitive information
• Operational disruptions
• Damage to evidence integrity
• Privacy concerns
• Increased administrative and recovery costs

As evidence repositories become larger and more connected, agencies should treat cybersecurity as a fundamental component of evidence management.

Protecting the system that stores evidence is just as important as protecting the devices that collect it.

Keywords: digital evidence cybersecurity, evidence security, body-worn cameras, cybersecurity, DEMS, law enforcement technology

Understand Common Cyber Threats

A strong security strategy begins with understanding the threats an agency may encounter.

Common cybersecurity risks include:

• Phishing attacks
• Stolen credentials
• Malware
• Ransomware
• Unauthorized access
• Insider threats
• Unpatched software
• Misconfigured systems

No single security measure can eliminate every risk.

Agencies should use multiple layers of protection so that if one security control fails, others remain in place.

Keywords: cyber threats, ransomware, phishing, malware, evidence security, public safety cybersecurity

Require Multi-Factor Authentication

Passwords alone may not provide sufficient protection for sensitive evidence systems.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) requires users to provide additional verification before gaining access.

MFA can significantly reduce the risk created by compromised passwords because possession of a password alone may no longer be enough to enter the system.

Agencies should apply strong authentication to accounts that access digital evidence, particularly privileged or administrative accounts.

Keywords: multi-factor authentication, MFA, secure evidence access, cybersecurity, identity security, digital evidence protection

Apply Role-Based Access Controls

Not every employee requires access to every piece of digital evidence.

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) allows agencies to assign permissions based on responsibilities.

Different access levels may be established for:

• Patrol officers
• Investigators
• Supervisors
• Evidence technicians
• Prosecutors
• System administrators

Agencies should follow the principle of least privilege, providing users only the access required to perform their responsibilities.

Limiting unnecessary access reduces the potential impact of compromised accounts and inappropriate activity.

Keywords: role-based access control, least privilege, evidence permissions, access management, digital evidence security, cybersecurity

Encrypt Digital Evidence

Encryption is an essential layer of evidence protection.

Agencies should consider encryption for data:

• At rest — while evidence is stored
• In transit — while evidence is transferred between authorized systems or users

Strong encryption helps protect sensitive information if storage infrastructure, communications, or devices are compromised.

Agencies should evaluate encryption standards alongside applicable policies, contracts, and security requirements.

Keywords: evidence encryption, encryption at rest, encryption in transit, digital evidence protection, cybersecurity, secure evidence storage

Maintain Detailed Audit Trails

Agencies need visibility into how digital evidence is accessed and managed.

Audit trails can record activities such as:

• User logins
• Evidence access
• Downloads
• Sharing activity
• Permission changes
• Administrative actions
• Evidence modifications

Detailed logs support accountability and help agencies investigate suspicious activity.

They can also contribute to maintaining chain-of-custody documentation by creating a record of interactions with evidence.

Keywords: evidence audit trails, chain of custody, security logging, digital evidence tracking, evidence integrity, DEMS

Keep Systems Updated

Outdated software can introduce unnecessary security risks.

Agencies should establish procedures for regularly addressing:

• Operating system updates
• Security patches
• Firmware updates
• Application updates
• Device software
• Vulnerability remediation

Before selecting technology vendors, agencies should also understand how security updates are delivered and how long products receive support.

Cybersecurity should continue throughout the entire technology lifecycle.

Keywords: security updates, vulnerability management, software patches, cybersecurity, body camera security, technology lifecycle

Protect Against Ransomware

Ransomware can disrupt access to critical systems and data.

A strong ransomware resilience strategy may include:

• Secure backups
• Network segmentation
• Endpoint protection
• Multi-factor authentication
• Employee cybersecurity training
• Incident response procedures
• Regular recovery testing

Backups should be protected so that an attack on primary systems does not automatically compromise recovery resources.

Agencies should also test restoration procedures rather than assuming backups will work when needed.

Keywords: ransomware protection, secure backups, disaster recovery, cyber resilience, digital evidence security, law enforcement cybersecurity

Secure Cloud-Based Evidence Environments

Cloud-based evidence management can provide scalability and remote accessibility, but cloud security requires careful configuration and oversight.

Agencies should evaluate:

• Encryption
• Identity and access management
• Data location and handling
• Backup and recovery
• Security monitoring
• Audit capabilities
• Vendor responsibilities

Security in cloud environments is often a shared responsibility between the technology provider and the agency.

Clearly understanding those responsibilities helps prevent security gaps.

Keywords: cloud evidence security, cloud evidence management, DEMS, cloud cybersecurity, digital evidence storage, public safety cloud

Strengthen Endpoint and Device Security

Digital evidence security extends beyond the evidence repository itself.

Devices that connect to agency systems can create additional security risks.

Agencies should consider protections for:

• Workstations
• Laptops
• Mobile devices
• Body-Worn Camera docking systems
• Administrative devices
• Other authorized endpoints

Security measures may include endpoint protection, device management, access restrictions, encryption, and timely software updates.

Protecting connected devices helps strengthen the entire evidence ecosystem.

Keywords: endpoint security, device security, body-worn cameras, evidence systems, cybersecurity, public safety technology

Train Personnel to Recognize Cyber Threats

Employees are an important part of an agency's cybersecurity strategy.

Regular security awareness training can help personnel recognize:

• Suspicious emails
• Phishing attempts
• Unusual login requests
• Social engineering
• Unsafe attachments
• Credential theft attempts

Training should also explain how and where personnel should report suspected security incidents.

Cybersecurity is strongest when users understand both the technology and their responsibilities.

Keywords: cybersecurity training, phishing awareness, security awareness, law enforcement training, digital evidence protection, cyber threats

Develop an Incident Response Plan

Even organizations with strong cybersecurity controls should prepare for the possibility of an incident.

An incident response plan should clearly define:

• Who should be notified
• How affected systems are isolated
• How evidence is preserved
• How incidents are documented
• How systems are restored
• How internal and external communication is managed

Agencies should periodically test their response plans through exercises.

Preparation can reduce confusion and help organizations respond more effectively when an incident occurs.

Keywords: incident response, cybersecurity planning, cyber incident, digital evidence security, disaster recovery, public safety cybersecurity

Protect Backups and Recovery Systems

Evidence availability is an important part of security.

Agencies should maintain recovery strategies appropriate to their operational requirements.

Backup planning may address:

• Backup frequency
• Geographic or logical separation
• Access controls
• Encryption
• Recovery time objectives
• Restoration testing

A backup that cannot be restored reliably provides little protection.

Regular testing helps ensure recovery procedures remain effective.

Keywords: evidence backup, disaster recovery, data recovery, cyber resilience, digital evidence storage, business continuity

Monitor for Suspicious Activity

Cybersecurity should be continuous rather than limited to periodic reviews.

Security monitoring can help agencies identify:

• Unusual login activity
• Repeated failed authentication attempts
• Unexpected downloads
• Permission changes
• Suspicious administrative actions
• Other abnormal behavior

Early detection can help security teams respond before an issue becomes more serious.

Audit logs and security monitoring tools provide valuable visibility into evidence environments.

Keywords: security monitoring, threat detection, audit logging, evidence security, cybersecurity analytics, digital evidence management

Evaluate Vendor Cybersecurity Practices

Technology vendors can play an important role in an agency's security posture.

Before selecting a Body-Worn Camera or Digital Evidence Management System provider, agencies should ask about:

• Security architecture
• Encryption practices
• Vulnerability management
• Software update policies
• Incident response procedures
• Data backup and recovery
• Access controls
• Security testing
• Long-term product support

Cybersecurity should be part of the procurement process rather than an afterthought after deployment.

Keywords: vendor cybersecurity, body camera vendors, DEMS security, technology procurement, evidence security, vendor evaluation

Consider CJIS Security Requirements

Agencies handling Criminal Justice Information should evaluate their systems and procedures against the applicable FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Policy and other relevant requirements.

Areas that may require consideration include:

• Authentication
• Access control
• Encryption
• Audit logging
• Security awareness
• Incident response
• System protection

Because requirements and policies can evolve, agencies should consult the current CJIS Security Policy and appropriate security or legal personnel when evaluating compliance.

Keywords: CJIS Security Policy, CJIS compliance, Criminal Justice Information, evidence security, law enforcement cybersecurity, public safety technology

Build a Layered Cybersecurity Strategy

No individual security control can protect an evidence environment from every possible threat.

A strong cybersecurity program combines multiple protections, including:

• Multi-factor authentication
• Role-based access controls
• Encryption
• Security monitoring
• Audit logging
• Endpoint protection
• Secure backups
• Employee training
• Incident response planning
• Regular updates and vulnerability management

This layered approach helps agencies prevent attacks, detect suspicious activity, respond to incidents, and recover when necessary.

Conclusion

Protecting digital evidence from cyber threats is essential to maintaining reliable and trustworthy public safety operations. As Body-Worn Cameras and other digital technologies generate increasingly large evidence repositories, agencies must protect those systems against unauthorized access, ransomware, phishing, credential theft, data loss, and other cybersecurity risks.

Strong authentication, encryption, role-based permissions, detailed audit trails, secure backups, continuous monitoring, employee training, and incident response planning provide important layers of protection. Agencies should also carefully evaluate the security practices of the technology vendors responsible for storing or managing their evidence.

Cybersecurity is not a one-time project. It is an ongoing process that must evolve alongside technology, operational requirements, and emerging threats. Building strong security practices today can help agencies protect evidence integrity, maintain operational continuity, and prepare for the cybersecurity challenges of tomorrow.

Learn More

Looking to strengthen the security of your agency's digital evidence environment?

Modern Body-Worn Cameras (BWCs) and Digital Evidence Management Systems (DEMS) can provide encrypted evidence storage, configurable access controls, detailed audit trails, secure evidence sharing, centralized management, and scalable infrastructure designed for public safety workflows.

A modern evidence platform can help agencies strengthen cybersecurity while maintaining efficient access to the information authorized personnel need.

Request a demo today to explore how secure digital evidence technology can help your agency protect critical information, streamline evidence management, and build a more resilient public safety technology environment.