Tuscaloosa Police: Cyber security program marks a triumphant achievement

TLDR:

• The Tuscaloosa Police Department has declared its new cyber security program, Safeguard Tuscaloosa, a success.
• The program allows local residents and businesses to register their surveillance cameras with TPD.
• Since its launch last year, the program has seen a significant increase in participation, with more than 500 cameras currently registered.
• Registered cameras have been instrumental in solving crimes and providing valuable evidence in ongoing trials.
• The program ensures privacy and security by encrypting all registered information behind firewalls.

The Tuscaloosa Police Department has praised its cyber security program, Safeguard Tuscaloosa, as a success. The program, which allows residents and businesses to register their surveillance cameras with the police, has seen a significant increase in participation since its launch last year. Currently, there are more than 500 cameras registered under the program, including personal home cameras and business surveillance systems.

The program has proven to be a quick and effective tool in solving crimes and providing valuable evidence in ongoing trials. The program contains a digital map of registered cameras, which law enforcement officers can access when investigating crimes or emergencies near an event. They then reach out to the owner of the registered camera and ask for permission to view its footage. This process ensures that officers do not have access to the video feed without the owner’s consent.

Tuscaloosa Police Lt. Cory Burns emphasized that the program is safe and secure. All registered information is encrypted behind the city’s firewalls and another entity’s firewall, ensuring the privacy and security of the participants. Burns stated, “We do not release any information. Your information is encrypted behind the city of Tuscaloosa’s firewalls and encrypted behind another entity’s firewall, so your information is safe.”

For those interested in participating in the Safeguard Tuscaloosa program or registering their smart camera devices, they can visit the program’s website, safeguardtuscaloosa.org.