Threats to the safety of law enforcement officers are constantly evolving in today’s digital climate. You must adapt to the changes and make every effort to review your online profiles, continually assess their vulnerabilities, and protect yourself, your fellow officers, and even your loved ones. An individual's life on the internet can be as easy to read as an open book. This Spotlight on Safety focuses on how being safe online translates to safety on the streets.
Protecting your digital footprint is an officer safety issue. This article shows you practical ways to keep your personal information safe online.
Below you will find printable info cards and posters. Download these resources to print, save to your smartphone, or share with your fellow LEOs. These reminders will serve as valuable reminders in the field to help you save lives!
How easy is it to search for your personal identifying information?
Understanding Digital Footprints
In September 2016, the Global Advisory Committee published the report Understanding Digital Footprints: Steps to Protect Personal Information on how cybercrime is an ever-growing issue for state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) law enforcement. With advancements in technology, coupled with the oversharing of personal information, law enforcement not only needs to ensure the public’s safety online but also be cognizant of the digital footprint that people are leaving behind. This document provides material designed to assist law enforcement personnel in protecting themselves and their families from becoming cyber targets: protecting personal information, cyber do's and don’ts, and links to further cyber training and resources.
In October 2010, in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs,
U.S. Department of Justice, the IACP launched its
Center for Social Media. The goal
of the initiative is to build the capacity of law enforcement to use social media to prevent and solve
crimes, strengthen police-community relations, and enhance services. IACP’s Center for
Social Media serves as a clearinghouse of information and no-cost resources to help law enforcement
personnel develop or enhance their agencies' use of social media and integrate Web 2.0 tools into
agency operations. The Center works closely with the Defense Personnel Security Research Center (PERSEREC);
the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council; and the Global Intelligence Working Group, the National
White Collar Crime Center, the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), U.S. Department of
Justice, and IACP's committees and sections.
• 2016 Law Enforcement Use of Social Media Survey
• Managing Cybersecurity Risk: A Law Enforcement Guide
Interactive Social Media: The Value for Law Enforcement
The Federal Bureau of Investigation published the Law Enforcement Bulletin Interactive Social Media: The Value for Law Enforcement. Based on the 24-hour availability of social media, some agencies’ communications centers monitor the sites. Some departments assign the public information officer, and others give the responsibility to watch commanders. Department heads must assess their organizations to see where the program will fit best. Use of social media helps agencies engage members of the community who otherwise may not interact with law enforcement and, in turn, builds public trust and improves relationships with the public.
Real-Time and Open Source Analysis Resource Guide
This guide was developed by the National Network of Fusion Centers, in partnership with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence's Office of Partner Engagement for the Information Sharing Environment, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the associations represented on the Criminal Intelligence Coordinating Council, to assist law enforcement agencies and fusion centers in understanding the lawful and appropriate use of open source information, focusing on social media. It is designed to help law enforcement agencies and analytic personnel understand the potential tools and resources available to support law enforcement operational and analytic activities, while ensuring that privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties concerns are addressed.
