First responders are embracing AI amid cybersecurity concerns

Nearly 90% of law enforcement support using AI to increase efficiency, while almost all are worried about safety.

A national survey of US first responders has shown that the agencies strongly lean toward adopting AI. Responses by law enforcement workers also showed a growing demand for cloud-native, data-driven, integrated mobile systems to improve the outcomes of using AI systems.

“Public safety agencies across the United States are grappling with challenges such as cyberattacks, legacy system outages, and the resilience and efficiency of their operations,” said Bob Hughes, CEO of technology company Mark43 behind the survey.

The survey, which included 538 public safety professionals, was conducted between October 2nd and October 23rd, 2024. An impressive 90% of law enforcement now support using AI, a 55% jump from last year.

More than half see it as a game-changer for productivity, with 89% believing it could be a powerful tool to reduce crime and transform the public safety industry. Law enforcement agencies also showed increasing trust that AI would be used responsibly.

Cybersecurity is still a concern

However, a significant number of law enforcement officers are concerned about cybersecurity risks. Eighty-four percent said their organization had experienced a cybersecurity issue in the last year, with scam calls, malware, and viruses being the top issues.

Over half (57%) of first responders report that their records management systems (RMS) are typically unavailable for more than 10 hours a year due to software updates. Similar issues affect computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems.

Public safety professionals have experienced various technical difficulties, according to the survey. Almost all respondents reported experiencing at least one outage or malfunction in the past year, ranging from software update delays to power grid failures caused by natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires.

Over two-thirds of law enforcement agencies have experienced on-premises system outages due to a lack of up-to-date technology.

A near-total majority (89%) of law enforcement worry that outdated systems could hinder their agency's response to major events like sports, conventions, concerts, natural disasters, or cyberattacks.

Most public safety professionals believe the public would feel more confident if local agencies followed federal security standards like FedRAMP, which ensures top-tier security for cloud technologies.

“In 2025, leading public safety agencies will embrace cloud-native systems and AI to enhance efficiency, strengthen cybersecurity and resilience, improve mobility, and optimize resource allocation – ultimately enabling them to serve their communities more effectively,” concluded Hughes.