RISSNET: A National Criminal Intelligence Database for Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement

By James R. Gallagher
Deputy Executive Director
MAGLOCLEN

The Regional Information Sharing Systems (RISS) Program is a federally funded program consisting of six regional projects dedicated to the support of local, state and federal law enforcement and criminal justice agencies. The program originated when a group of local law enforcement agencies united in the early 1970s to address multi-jurisdictional criminal groups plaguing the southern United States. These organized groups crossed city, county and state lines to commit crimes, relying on the lack of coordination, cooperation and information sharing between law enforcement agencies to escape capture. The success of the first project — The Regional Organized Crime Information Center — led to the creation of the five other RISS intelligence centers. More than 5,500 local, state and federal agencies representing more than 650,000 law enforcement and criminal justice personnel are members of RISS projects today.

RISS project directors conducted a study in 1991 to solicit members’ opinions concerning the improvement of RISS services and the addition of services not available at that time. Respondents requested that RISS design a wide-area network and create a common criminal database application. At the time of the study, RISS maintained six individual databases on six different platforms. The only communication between projects was by telephone.

After researching different types of network platforms, RISS directors selected the California Department of Justice (DOJ), Statewide Integrated Narcotics System (SINS) technology. RISS contracted with the Hawkins Computer Services Bureau (HCSB) of the California DOJ to design its network and to install appropriate hardware. RISS also contracted with HCSB to design a new criminal intelligence database application. The RISS Projects assisted in development of the criminal database application by assigning selected technical staff from each project to a users group. This group defined the specific needs of each project and designed a database with common elements that could be used by the six projects.

The primary concept of the RISS wide-area network (WAN) was to permit each project to electronically inquire the database of another project or the entire RISS network. The network would also permit member agencies to access the system for inquiries or to submit subject information. In December 1996, the new criminal intelligence database application was installed at the RISS projects and the conversion process was completed. The RISS WAN became operational.

During the WAN implementation process, RISS project management continued to search for a cost efficient and secure method to connect member agencies to their individual project databases. Project directors instructed selected RISS staff to research the best methods for electronically connecting member agencies to project databases. Staff received presentations from computer communications experts and conducted independent research. At the conclusion of their research, staff members recommended that RISS design an intranet network utilizing Internet technology. Directors approved staff’s recommendation.

The RISS projects moved quickly to implement a secure Internet/intranet system, which consisted of three automated information systems configured to create a network of law enforcement intelligence information available in all fifty states.

Over the past six months, RISS technical staff designed an Internet/intranet system with appropriate security features. The design utilizes passwords, smartcards, encryption and multiple firewalls. The major security feature is a web browser specifically designed for RISS.

Databases are protected by multiple firewalls that block all unwanted network communication and encrypt all transmissions between the six projects. Security was the highest priority during the design and completion of the RISS Intranet. To access the RISS Intranet, an agency must have the RISSGate secure software, a Smartcard and a Smartcard reader. It must also have the RISS Intranet web browser, which permits access to the three intelligence databases presently maintained by the RISS projects: RISSNET, RISSGang and RISSLeads.

RISSNET is a law enforcement criminal intelligence database with information on subjects including criminal activity, addresses, telephone numbers, vehicles, weapons and other identifying information.

RISSGang is a law enforcement criminal intelligence database with information on street and prison gangs. Subjects are entered by member agencies that are actively investigating street gangs and security-threat groups (gangs) in correctional institutions.

RISSLeads is, essentially, the same concept as newsgroup functions on the Internet, except it is totally secure within the RISS Intranet. Users post messages and receive replies. They will be able to post specific criminal activity in their area, or search for specific criminal activity in other jurisdictions.

The RISS projects completed installation of the RISS Intranet in February 1997, and are now distributing the required Smartgate software, Smartcards and readers. The RISS web browser, which permits access to the RISS Intranet, is in its testing stage. Distribution of the web browser is scheduled for December 1997. Once this process is complete, RISS will be the first national intelligence system utilizing both a secure wide area network and secure intranet technology.

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