Using Middleware Software to Create Virtual Integrated Justice Systems

• NCJ Number: 191347
• Journal: Prosecutor Volume: 35 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2001 Pages: 18-20
• Author(s): Steve Prisoc
• Editor(s): Jean Holt
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 3 pages
• Sale Source: NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article discusses the use of middleware software to integrate different justice computer systems within a jurisdiction.

Abstract

When a jurisdiction faces the task of integrating all its diverse criminal justice information systems it has two alternatives. The traditional approach is to combine all systems on one computer—typically a large computer like a mainframe. The alternative is to use software called translation middleware, to link existing separate systems—whether those systems reside on a mainframe or on smaller computers—into a group of systems that operate as one but allow a greater degree of autonomy for the involved agencies. While the benefits of integration have become obvious to most criminal justice decision makers, the cost of integrating disparate systems can be quite high. In addition to the high cost, a major disadvantage of combining all of a particular jurisdiction’s justice entities on one large computing platform is the loss of individual agency autonomy, security and control. Justice agencies are usually uncomfortable with the idea of relocating their systems to a shared system that is solely under the control of another entity that might not have the same concerns about securing sensitive data. Security on a single system can be made as tight as desired, but the issue is who controls the actual switches that allow access to secure elements. By using middleware software to pipe data between agencies, management can greatly limit the risk of a security breach by allowing each agency’s system administrators to control what data goes to whom and when. Use of this software to link diverse systems not only reduces the risk of a security breach, but it will usually reduce the cost and complexity of an integration effort. The middleware approach reduces risk by reducing the complexity of development and by concentrating only on the logical justice information exchange points, focusing the integration process on immediate, achievable benefits.