Security and reliability are the cornerstones for Axon Evidence, built on Azure

January 31, 2024

As law enforcement agencies navigate growing volumes of critical data, they need technology that helps them track, manage, and use data to better serve the public. Axon Evidence, a powerful solution from Microsoft partner Axon, does just that.

Built on Microsoft Azure, Axon Evidence is designed to help law enforcement agencies manage digital evidence in a highly secure, efficient, and trustworthy way. It promises to move law enforcement away from the frustrating and siloed world of thumb drives, CD burners, and disparate systems of data, to one where digital evidence is streamlined.

How Axon Evidence changes the equation

By using Axon Evidence on Azure, an investigator can use digital tools onsite to begin the process of triaging the various forms of digital evidence. This allows the investigator to conduct a preliminary analysis and easily place potentially valuable evidence into a secure cloud environment. When evidence like devices or recording data is brought to a lab, forensic experts can then focus on deconstructing, deciphering, and delivering the important data locked within.

With Axon Evidence, pieces of potential evidence are secured in a searchable, cloud-based storage system, where security controls ensure it can only be accessed and shared according to legal requirements and department policies. AI-powered services automatically generate transcriptions from audio and video files, and they can even identify people, objects, and other features in photos and videos.

Not only does the platform help investigators, but it can also deliver other critical benefits for law enforcement agencies. These include:

• Lower cost of ownership. Axon Evidence eliminates the cost of an in-house data center and the time associated with manual processes.
• Unified digital assets. The platform provides a single repository for an agency’s assets and eliminates disconnected data silos that create bottlenecks.
• Faster workflows. Automation accelerates the speed of evidence processing, and cutting-edge redaction technologies and secure digital sharing tools help save time and money. A special workflow helps law enforcement connect digitally with prosecutors and helps ensure evidence is not lost after it’s shared.
• Ease of use. A one-click search of officer names, incident IDs, and other tags helps investigators find information quickly, while mobile integration lets officers store data captured in the field. Axon Evidence can be accessed from the office and the field alike.
• Scalable technology. Deployments of any size can be easily accommodated with unlimited storage options, fast upload speeds, automatic retention schedules, and more. Native connectivity with Axon technology and partner APIs supports a wide variety of integrations like active directory integration, groups, reports, record management systems and computer-aided dispatch integration, automatic retention schedules, and more.

Beyond these benefits, Axon Evidence is part of the Axon network of connected devices and other solutions that work together seamlessly to help agencies serve their communities.

A bedrock of trust with Microsoft Azure

Modernizing IT and computing systems is a major challenge and government agencies need confidence in their providers.

“As attractive as cloud-based offerings and AI-powered capabilities might be, many law enforcement agencies have important concerns about issues such as control, compliance, data sovereignty, and—of course—security,” said Wallace.

Axon chose the Azure platform because of Microsoft investments in security, transparency, and compliance—which are unmatched in the industry and have earned the trust of governments and businesses around the world. The capabilities provided by Azure include the full scope of Microsoft security and trust benefits helping Axon deliver a solution that’s compliant with major global industry standards and regulations, including the Criminal Justice Information Services security policy.

By harnessing Azure, Axon Evidence is empowering the justice system to make better data-informed decisions and deliver trusted outcomes. With Axon’s cloud solution, agencies can deliver greater protection and service for their communities with confidence that it will ensure the accountability and confidence they demand.