Cloud-based software has become a common choice for many applications. While cloud-based solutions make sense for many use cases (email, offsite backups, collaborative document editing, etc.), law enforcement and public safety agencies have unique needs that make an on-premises records management system a compelling option. This is why Informant has continued to prioritize a self-hosted, or "on-premises" deployment model.


Summary


Advantage #1: Data security and risk mitigation


There is always some inherent risk in storing law enforcement records in the cloud, where a third-party vendor manages data on your behalf. Identity theft, large-scale data breaches, and hacking incidents involving internet-connected or cloud-hosted systems have become increasingly common. Cloud-based systems are attractive targets for cybercriminals and hackers because of their high visibility and the fact that anyone with a web browser can access them.


While no system is entirely risk-free, on-premises, self-hosted software and data are less exposed to the outside world, providing an extra layer of security. Informant prioritizes keeping sensitive law enforcement and public safety data on-site to empower our customers to retain full control of their information and reduce the risk of external cyberattacks.


Advantage #2: Data ownership


When you use a cloud-based product, your data is stored on servers managed by a third-party vendor. This can have important implications. If the vendor goes out of business, you could permanently lose access to the software and, in some cases, your data, creating significant operational challenges. Even if you choose to switch to another system, some cloud vendors require you to complete your subscription term and cancel your existing access before releasing your data, making the transition more difficult. Others may also charge data "egress" fees to export your information.


At Informant, we believe our customers should have complete control and ownership of their data because we know it belongs to them.


Advantage #3: Cost management


Cloud-based vendors often claim that going to the cloud can save money. While that can be true in some situations, the reality is often more nuanced. Cloud-based software vendors pay cloud hosting fees to a cloud provider such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure. These operational costs are often passed on to customers through additional fees or higher-priced software. In recent years, cloud providers have also raised their rates, causing cloud-based software vendors to increase their own prices in response.


With Informant, agencies purchase their hardware upfront and can use it for many years, keeping long-term costs manageable and predictable. If there is ever a need to migrate to new hardware, our support team provides one-on-one remote assistance at no additional cost. It's all included in the annual support plan.


Advantage #4: Offline availability


National and even global internet outages are becoming more common and can happen without warning. Recent outages lasting hours or even days have caused significant downtime and disruption for airlines, hospitals, police departments, and schools that rely heavily on internet and cloud-based systems. At Informant, we give our customers peace of mind knowing their RMS systems stay operational when their internet goes down and aren't affected by outages at major cloud providers.


Advantage #5: System performance


Cloud and web-based systems can sometimes feel sluggish, with certain tasks taking noticeably longer to complete. This can be exacerbated by slow Internet speeds, especially in areas with slower or less reliable internet service.

By contrast, a system running on your own network benefits from faster internal network speeds and a physically shorter distance between your computers and the server. This often delivers quicker response times and a smoother, more responsive user experience.


We're proud that Informant provides the speed, reliability, and performance our customers depend on, without being slowed down by internet connectivity issues that can disrupt cloud-based systems.


Conclusion


Managing and protecting law enforcement data presents unique challenges and needs compared to other business software. While cloud-based and web-based solutions are sensible choices for many applications, we believe self-hosting mission-critical systems like your records management system offers meaningful advantages in security, performance, reliability, and overall user experience. This is why Informant continues to champion on-premises solutions for the law enforcement industry.