Enhancing Law Enforcement Connectivity and Security with Zscaler Private Access

The Legacy of NetMotion Wireless

I first started working with NetMotion Wireless in the early 2000s when law enforcement nationally was working with partners to enable ubiquitous access to CJIS data using cellular connectivity. At that time, cellular providers were in the early phases of building out statewide connectivity and coverage could be intermittent. Netmotion became a lifeline for law enforcement agencies. Its always-on VPN capability ensured that officers could maintain a seamless connection to their systems, even when driving through areas with inconsistent cellular coverage. This persistent connection was critical for accessing real-time information, such as running license plates, without the need for manual reconnections-a common issue with traditional VPNs of that era. NetMotion ensured that officers could access the vital intelligence needed to safely patrol our nation's highways and protect residents.

Ahead of its time with it's always-on connectivity approach, NetMotion has served law enforcement for decades. However, the direct network access approach to VPNs that NetMotion enabled lacks the security benefits that Zero Trust brings to law enforcement agencies. Because NetMotion connects users to networks instead of to applications, the connectivity it provides can be leveraged by attackers to move laterally between devices and deeper into the organizations internal network.

Additionally, like other traditional VPN solutions NetMotion VPN servers must be exposed to the internet and can be attacked by malicious actors. Maintaining a Netmotion environment requires maintenance of servers and client software versions. While Netmotion was acquired by Absolute Networks in 2021, many criminal justice agencies are operating on Netmotion branded systems which may not have updated security patches.