The increased awareness of the importance of data and system security prompted LEADS to designate an information security officer. This position coordinates the efforts of all the LEADS workgroups to ensure the integrity of the system remains in tact. This involves working closely with agencies that connect to our system to review the technical requirements needed to prevent unauthorized access. LEADS has implemented a detailed technical security audit which includes network diagrams, on-site reviews, and third party assessments to assist us.

Because the most frequent misuse of the system comes from inappropriate use by users, LEADS has a sworn highway patrol officer responsible for security of the information. The LEADS security officer works with our user agencies when there are allegations that LEADS information was used for other-than-criminal-justice purposes. LEADS security can review backup records of system transactions to determine when information was run and who the operator was at the time.

The LEADS security officer is responsible for obtaining new agency identifiers from NCIC, following-up on validations of records in the system, and enforcing NCIC policies within Ohio. They also maintain the 13 administrative code sections that govern LEADS under OAC §4501:2-10.