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Lowell PD Secures Access to Criminal Databases with Columbitech Mobile VPN

Columbitech's Mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides a secure link for officers accessing criminal databases and dispatch information via mobile devices.

The Lowell (Mass.) Police Department has begun using the Columbitech Mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN) to access criminal data in compliance with the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) policy.

Lowell PD equipped its police officers with Apple iPads and iPhones to access computer-aided dispatch information and federal criminal databases through the VPN.

The Columbitech Mobile VPN is integrated with PublicEye software to ensure that information accessed through the app is kept protected. The software provides a secure link to monitor 911 calls and access criminal databases, including warrants, driver and vehicle information, registered firearms, and criminal history. The software also allows police to monitor surveillance cameras as well as access public social media feeds within their jurisdiction.

The Columbitech Mobile VPN is FIPS 140-2-validated and supports two-factor authentication as required by the CJIS policy to protect against unauthorized access.

The browser is built with session persistence to ensure that police officers are connected through temporary coverage glitches and when devices roam between cellular and Wi-Fi networks, according to Columbitech.

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