It only takes one breach to undo years of trust. In recent years, even major government and justice systems have been compromised, exposing sealed files and sensitive case data. When the information you handle involves children, families, or survivors, that kind of failure is unthinkable.
For Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) and multidisciplinary teams, protecting digital evidence is not just an IT task. It is a matter of safety, confidentiality, and credibility. Most directors and coordinators are not security specialists, and they should not have to be. What matters is knowing which questions to ask before trusting a Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS) with your most sensitive data.
Know What Real Compliance Looks Like
Three frameworks define the minimum standard for data protection in any DEMS:
- HIPAA safeguards medical and health-related information, such as forensic exams or therapy notes.
- CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) governs how law enforcement data must be stored, shared, and secured.
- SOC 2 Type II verifies that a vendor’s security and privacy controls are reviewed and tested by an independent auditor over time.
If a vendor claims compliance, they should have documentation to prove it. Ask for their audit or attestation letters. Real compliance comes with third-party validation, not just marketing language.
Ask Questions That Matter
You do not need a cybersecurity degree to spot a trustworthy partner. Ask these five questions in your next vendor meeting:
- Can you share your most recent SOC 2 Type II or HIPAA audit report?
- How do you control who can access case files and interviews?
- What happens if your system experiences a breach?
- How often do you conduct third-party security testing?
- Who in your company is responsible for compliance?
The right vendor will answer clearly and confidently. If they avoid the question or say, “we are working on it,” proceed with caution.
Look Beyond Promises
When the data you protect involves real people, transparency matters. Choose partners who welcome your questions, share documentation, and explain their safeguards in plain terms. The safest systems are built by teams that can show their work.
You do not need to be technical to make a smart, secure choice. You just need to expect proof instead of promises.
“We never expect our partners to just take our word for it. Every audit, every test, and every compliance certification we hold is available for review. Security only builds trust when it is transparent.”
Want to see what transparency looks like in practice?
Visit our Trust Center to learn more about the standards that protect digital evidence every day.
