Despite the availability of modern technologies, authorities and organizations with security tasks (BOS) often lack uniform communication solutions for ultra-mobile work. In this blog article, we show you why such a solution is important and which requirements it must absolutely fulfill in the BOS environment.
The tried-and-tested communication channels and the often closed IT infrastructures of the BOS reach their limits in the field at the latest. For example, police officers often still have to record accidents by hand. And even if digital tools are available, they are usually not fully integrated into the corresponding backend systems, which results in considerable additional administrative work for field staff. In the absence of secure alternatives, BOS employees therefore often resort to unsecured and unauthorized applications such as WhatsApp etc. This form of shadow IT poses an immense risk to the sometimes highly sensitive data that the BOS regularly work with.
This is precisely why it is essential that BOS employees are equipped with secure ultra-mobile communication solutions. In the following, we have compiled important requirements that such a solution should definitely fulfill.
All employees must be networked with each other
Employees working in the field must be able to work flexibly and securely from anywhere. At least as important is the end-to-end encrypted transfer of sensitive and confidential data in real time to colleagues in the office in order to reduce administrative work. An appropriate solution must guarantee encrypted data transfer in real time and smooth synchronization of individual processes.
Uncomplicated handling is the be-all and end-all
Communication during operations must also function smoothly and seamlessly across organizations. This requires a standardized solution that works reliably even in extreme conditions and enables the emergency services to work together seamlessly.
All important functions combined in one solution
BOS employees continuously exchange sensitive and sometimes highly confidential information such as reports, witness statements and investigation strategies by email, message or telephone. The required communication solution must therefore not only have a secure messaging function, but also a hardened browser, a secure camera, an encrypted email program and a secure calendar.
Data protection and security are top priorities
BOS work with sensitive, security-critical information on a daily basis. A communication solution for secure and ultra-mobile working should therefore definitely also cover communication up to classification level VS-NfD stands for “classified information – for official use only” and is the lowest of four classification levels for authorities. Information marked VS-NfD may only be viewed by authorized persons. Information is generally considered classified if it must be kept secret for reasons of state interest.
In order to enable emergency services to work ultra-mobile and, above all, securely across organizations, it is essential that BOS equip their employees with a uniform communication solution that guarantees the unconditional protection and security of highly sensitive data at all times. In addition, the solution should enable uncomplicated and seamless communication and cooperation between all BOS employees, both in the office and in the field, to prevent them from accessing unauthorized applications.