Encryption coming to SD P25 system?

[K0WXP]

I think we all know that it's coming, at least to some extent. This is from the minutes at the last upgrade meeting.

"Encryption Standard – Nincehelser discussed the need to adopt a standard for the statewide encryption administration. Currently working with representatives from Pennington and Minnehaha Counties to develop a standard and CISA and NLEPSCC on CKR numbers for South Dakota. South Dakota now has registered 15 KID (Key ID) and CKR (Common Key Reference) with NLECC including a patching key for patching encrypted and non-encrypted Talkgroups. Also, we have identified a range of 50 CKR and KID for each county to use in the future. We hope to finalize and present the standard in next meeting. Karley offered that they will still plan to roll out AES 256 encryption in Pennington County and Rapid City for law enforcement beginning in the fall of 2023. "

 

[bbtkd]

I think we all know that it's coming, at least to some extent. This is from the minutes at the last upgrade meeting.

There's some encryption on the current system, but yes, they're talking about it more. Someone posted a while back that they thought or heard that like Rapid City plans to, that Sioux Falls/Minnehaha county would encrypt police and fire. If that's a 100% thing then they're reducing the likelihood of getting useful timely tips, and reducing accountability/trust. From what I've read, encryption complicates operations, including interagency cooperation and general reliability. Key mismanagement/glitches can lead to outages.

I understand that perps may rarely monitor police, but is that prevalent enough to lose tips and accountability/trust? A good middle ground would be to encrypt SWAT, car-to-car, detectives, special ops, and law data, but leave dispatch and general talk unencrypted. They can increase their use of computer messaging too. I doubt they're looking for input though. If they do encrypt fire and police 100%, I may shut down my feed. That would be a shame, since I've heard from police and fire staff that they monitor my feed when they're off-duty.

 

[Rlahey]

Rapid City PD, and Pennington SO will be fully encrypted 24/7 by the end of the year. Sioux Falls PD and Fire, Minnehaha SO and county fire will be enrypted at some point, probably after the P25 upgrade in SF.

SD HP SRC will be encrypted statewide, I’m guessing other SRC law enforcement will be as well such as GFP, etc

 

[bbtkd]

Rapid City PD, and Pennington SO will be fully encrypted 24/7 by the end of the year. Sioux Falls PD and Fire, Minnehaha SO and county fire will be enrypted at some point, probably after the P25 upgrade in SF.

SD HP SRC will be encrypted statewide, I’m guessing other SRC law enforcement will be as well such as GFP, etc

Source, regarding Sioux Falls?

 

[Rlahey]

Unfortunately I cannot divulge individuals as I’m sure they would not like that- but within the next year you’ll be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Your scanners and feed will be very quiet.

 

[Rlahey]

There's some encryption on the current system, but yes, they're talking about it more. Someone posted a while back that they thought or heard that like Rapid City plans to, that Sioux Falls/Minnehaha county would encrypt police and fire. If that's a 100% thing then they're reducing the likelihood of getting useful timely tips, and reducing accountability/trust. From what I've read, encryption complicates operations, including interagency cooperation and general reliability. Key mismanagement/glitches can lead to outages.

I understand that perps may rarely monitor police, but is that prevalent enough to lose tips and accountability/trust? A good middle ground would be to encrypt SWAT, car-to-car, detectives, special ops, and law data, but leave dispatch and general talk unencrypted. They can increase their use of computer messaging too. I doubt they're looking for input though. If they do encrypt fire and police 100%, I may shut down my feed. That would be a shame, since I've heard from police and fire staff that they monitor my feed when they're off-duty.

The issues pushing this, is unfortunately, internet feeds. When you said they “rarely” listen to local law enforcement on their phone, I think you’d be shocked to learn the type of people listening to the feeds, their nefarious reasons, how many people, and how often.