Secure cloud platform improves access to critical public safety information

This initiative modernizes the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s public-facing technology to better serve Minnesotans, law enforcement, and partner agencies that rely on timely, secure access to critical public safety information. By migrating key applications to a secure Azure Government Cloud environment, the BCA will significantly strengthen the reliability, security, and accessibility of essential services such as the Crime Data Explorer Website and Reference Services.

For the public and justice partners, the modernized platform delivers more consistent access to accurate information, even during periods of high demand or system stress. Improved availability and disaster recovery protections reduce the risk of outages caused by aging infrastructure, ensuring that critical public safety resources remain accessible when they are needed most.

For law enforcement and partner agencies, enhanced security controls and compliance with Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) and MNIT standards protect sensitive data while enabling trusted information sharing. The cloud-based foundation supports scalability and performance, allowing services to adapt to evolving needs without compromising security or reliability.

For BCA staff, the project introduces modern deployment, automation, and infrastructure management practices that reduce manual effort and operational risk. Reusable infrastructure templates and automated deployments improve consistency, speed, and quality, while targeted training builds staff capability and confidence to support ongoing innovation.

Customers and users benefit through:

• Stronger security and privacy protections for public-facing criminal justice services.
• More reliable, highly available access to critical information for Minnesotans and law enforcement.
• Faster recovery and greater resilience, minimizing service disruptions.
• A scalable, future-ready platform that supports continued modernization.
• Improved staff expertise, ensuring long-term sustainability of services.

Success means establishing a stable, secure, and resilient cloud platform for public safety services—building user trust, improving service continuity, and laying the groundwork for the BCA’s broader cloud strategy to strengthen public safety statewide.