At Focal Forensics, safeguarding privacy while supporting transparency is at the core of everything we do. Specializing in redaction services for video, audio, and images, we work with both government and commercial customers to ensure that sensitive information is handled responsibly before media is made public. However, ensuring that our communications are just as secure as the services we provide has always been a top priority. That's why we turned to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and integrated AWS Wickr, a highly secure, end-to-end encrypted messaging and collaboration tool, into our workflow. Read about our case study (HERE)
Securing and Controlling Sensitive Communications
Law enforcement agencies often face public records requests, particularly through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), which necessitates the release of video evidence that may contain sensitive personally identifiable information (PII). At Focal Forensics, we partner with police departments across the United States to meticulously redact this content before it’s shared with the public.
“Security is paramount when dealing with sensitive communications and information,” says Steve Bufalino, cofounder of Focal Forensics. However, our previous communication solutions were falling short in terms of security and compliance. When we sought a better option, AWS Wickr became the obvious choice due to its cutting-edge encryption and innovative features like burn-on-read and expiration timers. As Bufalino notes, “We handle all the redaction to make sure personally identifiable information is removed so that a police department can release the footage.” And now, with AWS Wickr, we’ve extended that same level of precision to our internal communications.
“We’re confident in AWS Wickr. Being able to communicate securely and rely on it is perfect,” says Bufalino.
Accelerating Compliance and Building Trust with AWS Wickr
In the world of criminal justice, compliance is everything. Each state has its own regulations, and ensuring adherence to these guidelines is a significant responsibility. AWS Wickr’s end-to-end encryption provides a seamless way for Focal Forensics to meet these compliance standards while maintaining security. “Every police department wants to know if the third-party redaction service provider is compliant with standards for criminal justice information services,” Bufalino explains. Thanks to AWS Wickr, we can answer that question with confidence.
This solution has also allowed Focal Forensics to build deeper trust with clients. AWS Wickr enables companies to audit and review the cryptographic protocol that secures its communications. As Zac Giammarrusco, cofounder of Focal Forensics, puts it: “I like that you can audit the AWS Wickr code and review what it’s doing. Open and transparent is how we also like to deal with our company and services.”
Empowering Growth Through Secure Collaboration
Since adopting AWS Wickr, Focal Forensics has seen significant improvements in how we communicate and collaborate internally. With security concerns minimized, we can focus on helping police departments provide the transparency the public demands while meeting regulatory requirements. This partnership with AWS Wickr has not only enhanced our communication security but also supported our continued growth.
Currently, we are making use of AWS Wickr’s core messaging and file-sharing features. Looking ahead, we plan to explore additional features such as guest access and data retention, which could further streamline our workflow and strengthen our service offerings.
At Focal Forensics, secure and transparent communication is just as vital as the services we provide. As we continue to grow, AWS Wickr will play a pivotal role in ensuring that our redaction services meet the highest standards of security and compliance.
About Focal Forensics
Focal Forensics, based in Colorado, specializes in video redaction services designed for law enforcement, legal professionals, and private individuals. We remove personally identifiable information from police and security footage to support transparency while protecting privacy. Our commitment to high standards of service, compliance, and trust-building is at the heart of everything we do.
