The Rise of Secure On-Premise AI in Law Enforcement
Dennis Carroll, Digital Forensic & AI Solutions Consultant
Unless you are living under a large rock in a remote area, you have heard about Artificial Intelligence or AI. You may have tried out AI chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or others, and you likely have interacted with AI assistants like Microsoft Co-Pilot or Meta’s AI. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is so impactful to our lives and is evolving rapidly. Some want to avoid it with the “wait and see” mindset, some are dabbling, and some are early adopters who seek to maximize their use of this amazing technological advancement.
Protecting Sensitive Data with Secure On-Premise AI
Many agencies are developing policies to address the use of AI. However, these policies contemplate external cloud-based AI. In order to avoid the release of agency data to a cloud-based entity, agencies should adopt the use of Secure On-Premise AI. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors handle very sensitive data, and cloud-based AI is not a viable option. A viable option is Secure On-Premise AI and it is something that almost no agencies are utilizing. Secure On-Premise AI is a computer that is placed in the range of a network at a law enforcement agency and allows you to do all the things that AI can do, without the risk of sharing or compromising data. Ace Computers possesses extensive knowledge of AI and the hardware requirements for its various models. We have been developing hardware supporting artificial intelligence for years.
Any agency today can implement Secure On-Premise AI, and take full advantage of what it can do for operations. By utilizing AI, an agency can pass off time-consuming tasks and focus on other critical operations needed for an investigation. Conservatively, AI can provide an agency a 3-5x force multiplier.
What does that look like for you and your agency?
For law enforcement agencies and prosecutors’ offices there is a never-ending influx of cases, and Secure On-Premise AI can provide a significant enhancement to overall operations without compromising data security. AI is such a new phenomenon that there are no standards in place and governmental regulating entities are just now recognizing the need for parameters. This likely requires agencies to implement good reason and rationale when utilizing this technology, and Secure On-Premise AI does just that.
Benefits of Secure On-Premise AI for Prosecutors
Protect Sensitive Evidence & Maintain Chain of Custody
With on-premise AI, all data remains within your agency’s secure network. Evidence never leaves your environment, reducing the risk of breaches or unauthorized access. This helps maintain the legal integrity of the chain of custody—critical in ensuring that no questions arise about tampering or data exposure.
Accelerate Case Preparation
Prosecutors and their support teams spend countless hours reviewing digital files, transcripts, and documents. Secure AI systems can quickly sort through these large data sets, identify relevant keywords, and summarize critical information. What once took hours or even days can now be done in minutes—allowing attorneys to focus on strategy and advocacy rather than manual review.
Ensure Compliance and Legal Readiness
On-premise AI also supports compliance with privacy regulations and evidence-handling protocols. Since data never leaves your internal environment, your agency stays aligned with privacy, legal, and ethical standards—minimizing audit risks and liability concerns.
Key Considerations for Implementation
Infrastructure & Technical Requirements
Deploying on-premise AI requires robust hardware capable of handling data-intensive workloads. Agencies must consider processing power, secure storage, and network bandwidth. Fortunately, companies like Ace Computers design and build customized workstations specifically for forensic and prosecutorial workloads, ensuring smooth integration with existing systems.
Staff Training & Expertise
AI is only as effective as the people who use it. Training prosecutors, investigators, and IT staff on how to interpret AI outputs and maintain the systems is essential. Developing clear workflows between legal and technical teams ensures AI insights are used properly and effectively.
Cost & Long-Term Value
While the initial investment in secure on-premise infrastructure may seem high, the long-term value is undeniable. Agencies gain faster case resolution, better accuracy, and reduced reliance on external vendors—all while keeping data fully under their control.
Real-World Applications
Digital Evidence Analysis
On-premise AI can process vast volumes of digital data—emails, text messages, multimedia files, and reports—and identify patterns or anomalies that may be crucial to a case.
Case Strategy & Trial Preparation
AI tools can assist in organizing exhibits, summarizing witness statements, and even anticipating potential defense arguments based on available evidence.
Collaboration With Investigators
By maintaining a secure, centralized AI environment, prosecutors and investigators can share insights in real time, track case progress, and ensure that everyone works from the same, accurate set of information.
Best Practices
Data Security & Privacy
Implement strong access controls, encryption, and regular audits to ensure that sensitive information remains protected at every stage of analysis.
System Updates & Maintenance
Keeping hardware and software up to date is essential for optimal performance and cybersecurity. Regular maintenance prevents downtime and ensures that your AI system continues to meet operational demands.
Ongoing Training
Technology evolves quickly, and so should your team. Continuous learning helps staff stay proficient, adapt to new features, and maintain productivity.
