Nottinghamshire Police has implemented asingle sign-on systemto improve
efficiency.
Police chiefs decided the old system - where staff used up to 10
different passwords for a range of different applications - was too
risky and led to forgetting of passwords and slow logging-on.
The system is used to gain access to whichever IT and
intelligence systems staff are authorised to use.
Martin Hansen, director of information at Nottinghamshire
Police, said, "We never had any security lapses but we often had
people writing down or forgetting their
passwords, because they need to access so many
applications."
He added officers often need access to a range of different
systems, including national databases.
The force is also considering upgrading the system in the
future, enabling staff to enter applications using smartcards and
biometric fingerprint data. Other forces, such as
Humberside Police, have already implemented biometric data
security.
Hansen said, "It means officers do not need to have all these
additional passwords. It saves them a lot of time, and we think
improves security as well."
Mike Nelsey, managing director at Enline, which installed the
system, said, "What is important for police is to know exactly who
is on the system at a certain point, and what they have been
doing.
"If it is difficult to log on and off, people may stay logged on
in a busy office and everyone will use their account.
They may start to share log-ons or passwords. The system
increases accountability as well as usability."
If officers forget their password, instead of a previous lengthy
security process, they now have a list of self-service questions to
answer before they can change it. The system also advises them on
how to choose a strong password.
Hansen said, "It has increased our productivity and enables
officers to work more efficiently across the different
systems."