CJIS Compliance

CJIS protects Criminal Justice Information (CJI) data such as criminal histories, fingerprints, biometrics, and investigative records. This information is crucial for law enforcement operations and emergency response, requiring strict security controls to protect privacy, prevent misuse, and ensure the integrity of justice processes.

CJIS compliance refers to an agency’s adherence to the FBI CJIS Security Policy, a comprehensive framework governing the handling of CJI. Compliance ensures that criminal justice data is:

Protected from unauthorized access

Maintained with integrity and confidentiality

Available to authorized personnel when needed

Compliance is important because it;

Enforces minimum security standards across all CJIS-connected systems

Guarantees data availability for mission-critical 911 and law enforcement functions

Enables trust in inter-agency data sharing through uniform safeguards

CJIS compliance for a 911 center is multifaceted and requires attention to the following areas:

Policy and Procedures

Develop written security policies aligned with CJIS Security Policy

Define roles and responsibilities, incident response, and data access protocols

Personnel Security

Conduct background checks on all personnel accessing CJI

Require security awareness and role-based training

Physical Security

Restrict access to physical locations where CJI is stored or accessed

Implement entry controls, surveillance, and environmental protections

Network Security

Use firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and secure configurations

Segregate CJIS-related traffic from general networks

Data Encryption

Encrypt CJI both in transit and at rest using FIPS 140-2 or higher validated cryptographic modules

Audit and Logging

Log access to CJI and system events comprehensively

Regularly review audit logs and conduct internal audits

Incident Response

Maintain a documented incident response plan

Report and remediate security events in accordance with policy timelines

Compliance Audits

Undergo scheduled external audits by the FBI or designated authorities

Perform internal self-audits to ensure continuous compliance

CJIS compliance is not optional, it is a critical requirement to safeguard criminal justice operations and maintain public trust. For 911 centers handling life-critical calls and dispatches, achieving and maintaining CJIS compliance ensures both operational resilience and lawful access to vital data.

There is no single national deadline for a 911 center to become CJIS compliant, because:

CJIS Compliance Is Ongoing and Mandatory by Policy

CJIS compliance is not a one-time certification, but an ongoing obligation for any agency that accesses, transmits, or stores Criminal Justice Information (CJI).

Agencies are required to be compliant as soon as they connect to CJIS systems or receive CJI through state or federal sources (e.g., NCIC queries or RMS data exchanges).

Non-compliance can lead to disconnection from CJIS services, sanctions, or loss of access to critical law enforcement data.

Enforcement and Oversight Is State-Level

Each state has a CJIS Systems Agency (CSA) that oversees compliance within its jurisdiction, including conducting audits, providing training, and enforcing security policy.

The FBI delegates authority to the CSA, and states may impose their own timelines or corrective action deadlines during audits or incident responses.

If a 911 center fails to meet CJIS standards during an audit, the CSA may impose a remediation deadline (e.g., 30–90 days) to correct specific deficiencies.

Project-Based or Technology Triggered Deadlines

A 911 center installing a new CAD, RMS, or NG911 system may be required to demonstrate compliance prior to go-live.

Any third-party vendor integration involving CJI (e.g., cloud CAD or location services) must also meet CJIS requirements before deployment.