NSW Police to embark on $126m IT overhaul

NSW Police is set for a major technology upgrade program of work covering its cyber security, networks and payroll systems.

The state government revealed the program of works would be funded with $125.8 million in the imminent NSW budget.

Some $50 million will be put into a “critical network program” that will see the force “upgrade outdated network devices, improve enterprise capabilities, and build a modern network.”

This will see wide-ranging upgrades, from an improvement in contact centre technology for 000, the Police Assistance Line and Crime Stoppers; to a refresh of end-of-life network devices at all police stations and command buildings and the replacement of legacy telephone systems and end-of-life AV infrastructure in “corporate and corrections environments”.

In addition, the force will benefit from expanded wi-fi access and “improved network security”, as well as “new specialist investigation equipment” set to cost around $6 million.

Another $45.2 million of the funding envelope will be put into an upgrade and modernisation of the payroll platform used to support more than 21,000 NSW Police Force staff.

The remaining $24.6 million will fund a “cyber security enhancement program” that aims to give the Force “full cyber threat detection and response capabilities”.

This, the government said, will help NSW Police “monitor and adapt to cyber threats swiftly and effectively”, prevent cyber incidents that could impact public safety, and ensure the Force “is equipped to handle cyber threats … to build public trust and confidence.”

NSW Police Force deputy commissioner Dean Smith said the cyber security upgrades would ensure “police infrastructure and critical information is safe from malicious cyberattacks.”

“The threat of cyber attack is ever evolving, and we need to be ahead of threat actors, internationally and locally when it comes to our prevention, detection and response capability. This is critical to the work we do,” he said in a statement.

“We know that the threat of cyberattack is real, and like other organisations we receive threats every day. 

“Equally significant is the investment into our critical network program. 

“This includes investment into our audiovisual link technology to work efficiently with the courts and corrective services.”