CJIS compliance: A checklist

CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) is the FBI division that manages criminal justice information systems used by law enforcement nationwide. It maintains critical databases like the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), fingerprint identification systems, and uniform crime reporting statistics that enable secure information sharing between agencies.

CJIS enforces strict security policies to protect sensitive criminal justice data from unauthorized access or misuse. Agencies accessing CJIS systems must comply with comprehensive security requirements covering personnel screening, technical safeguards, and physical security measures to maintain the integrity of criminal justice information.

CJIS compliance steps

Begin by conducting a comprehensive assessment of your organization's current systems, networks, and data flows to identify all areas where Criminal Justice Information (CJI) is accessed, processed, transmitted, or stored. This baseline assessment should document existing security controls, identify gaps against CJIS Security Policy requirements, and establish a clear understanding of your CJI environment's scope and boundaries.

Establish formal governance by appointing a CJIS Security Officer (CSO) who will serve as the primary point of contact for all CJIS security matters within your organization. The CSO must complete required training, maintain current certification, and have the authority to implement and enforce security policies across all systems handling CJI data.

Develop and implement comprehensive personnel security procedures that include background investigations for all personnel with access to CJI systems. Ensure background checks meet CJIS standards for the appropriate level of access required, maintain documentation of clearance levels, and establish processes for periodic re-investigations and immediate suspension of access when personnel leave or change roles.

Create detailed security policies and procedures that align with the current CJIS Security Policy requirements, covering areas such as access control, audit logging, configuration management, identification and authentication, incident response, media protection, physical security, risk management, and system integrity. These policies must be formally documented, approved, and regularly updated to reflect policy changes.

Implement robust physical security controls for all facilities housing CJI systems and data, including controlled access areas, visitor management procedures, environmental controls, and monitoring systems. Ensure physical access is limited to authorized personnel only and that all access attempts are logged and monitored.

Deploy comprehensive technical security controls including multi-factor authentication for all CJI system access, encryption for data in transit and at rest, network segmentation to isolate CJI systems, intrusive detection and prevention systems, regular vulnerability scanning, and automated security monitoring. All technical controls must meet or exceed CJIS specifications.

Establish continuous monitoring and audit logging capabilities that capture all user activities, system events, and security-relevant actions within your CJI environment. Implement automated log analysis tools, ensure logs are protected from tampering, maintain appropriate retention periods, and establish procedures for regular log review and investigation of suspicious activities.

Develop and test comprehensive incident response procedures specifically addressing CJI security incidents, including immediate containment measures, notification requirements to appropriate CJIS authorities, forensic evidence preservation, impact assessment, and recovery procedures. Ensure incident response team members are properly trained and have clear roles and responsibilities.

Create a formal risk management program that includes regular risk assessments of CJI systems, documented risk mitigation strategies, continuous monitoring of the threat landscape, and periodic updates to security controls based on evolving risks. Risk assessments should address both technical and operational risks to CJI data.

Implement configuration management processes that establish secure baseline configurations for all CJI systems, control and document all changes to system configurations, regularly assess compliance with baseline configurations, and maintain an inventory of all hardware and software components within the CJI environment.

Establish secure system development and maintenance procedures if your organization develops or modifies CJI systems, including secure coding practices, security testing requirements, change control procedures, and vendor management processes for third-party systems or services that may access CJI data.

Conduct regular security awareness training for all personnel with access to CJI systems, covering topics such as data handling procedures, security responsibilities, threat awareness, and incident reporting requirements. Training should be role-specific and include regular updates on emerging threats and policy changes.

Prepare for and undergo periodic security audits and assessments as required by CJIS policy, including both internal assessments and external audits by appropriate oversight bodies. Maintain detailed documentation of compliance efforts, promptly address any identified deficiencies, and implement corrective action plans within required timeframes.

Establish agreements and oversight procedures for any contractors, vendors, or business partners who may have access to CJI data, ensuring they meet the same security requirements as your organization and are subject to appropriate monitoring and audit procedures. All third-party access must be properly authorized and documented.

Maintain comprehensive documentation of all CJIS compliance efforts, including policies and procedures, training records, audit results, incident reports, risk assessments, and evidence of security control implementation. This documentation must be readily available for review during audits and regularly updated to reflect current practices and requirements.

Many organizations struggle with implementing comprehensive access controls and physical security measures required by CJIS standards. These requirements include multi-factor authentication, role-based access restrictions, secure physical facilities, and continuous monitoring of all personnel who access criminal justice information.

Training and maintaining adequate staffing levels presents another significant challenge for organizations seeking CJIS compliance. The policy requires specialized security training for all personnel with access to Criminal Justice Information (CJI), along with ongoing education to keep staff current with evolving security protocols and threat landscapes.

Technical infrastructure requirements often prove costly and complex for smaller organizations to implement effectively. CJIS mandates advanced encryption standards, secure network configurations, incident response capabilities, and regular security assessments that may require substantial IT investments and expertise.

Documentation and audit preparation create ongoing administrative burdens that many organizations find difficult to sustain. The CJIS Security Policy requires extensive documentation of security procedures, incident logs, personnel records, and system configurations, all of which must be maintained and readily available for compliance audits.

Keeping pace with frequent policy updates and evolving cybersecurity threats poses a continuous challenge for organizations. The CJIS Security Policy undergoes regular revisions to address new security vulnerabilities and technological changes, requiring organizations to constantly adapt their procedures, systems, and training programs.

Enabling safe access of CJIS data with an Enterprise Browser

Law enforcement and public safety personnel require access to the Department of Justice's Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS). Due to the sensitivity of CJIS data, it is critical to ensure that only authorized personnel have the least necessary data access. Additionally, the data must remain secure while in use and be safely stored afterward. With the Island Enterprise Browser, law enforcement agencies can enable safe CJIS data access, even on unmanaged devices — directly through the browser. By creating secure application boundaries and embedding robust controls, Island ensures information stays within authorized systems, reducing the risk of spillage or misuse.