AFP Software Costs Surge to $166 Million with New Investigations Platform

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has reported a significant increase in its software asset value, which rose by $25 million, or 17 percent, in the last financial year, bringing the total value to $166 million. This growth follows the AFP’s implementation of a new investigations management solution (IMS) in April 2023, a key initiative aimed at enhancing the AFP’s cyber, intelligence, and investigations capabilities.

The AFP’s decision to increase its investment in software systems is a direct response to growing demands for enhanced online security and more robust investigative tools. The agency’s expansion of its software portfolio has been critical in supporting its operational needs, particularly in managing complex cases and improving investigative workflows. The IMS, which replaced the legacy Police Real-time Online Management Information System (PROMIS), has played a pivotal role in this transformation. The new case management platform allows officers to record each referral as an individual case, as opposed to grouping smaller investigations under a single larger case, which was the practice with PROMIS. This change has led to an apparent increase in the number of cases recorded, although some of this is attributed to the shift in how cases are tracked rather than an actual rise in the volume of investigations.

The AFP’s partnerships with other agencies, including the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service, have also contributed to the increase in software asset value. These collaborations likely involve shared technologies and systems that enhance the AFP’s ability to manage investigations and coordinate efforts across jurisdictions.

The AFP’s financial commitment to expanding its software assets is also reflected in its software licence purchases. In addition to the IMS, the AFP invested $1.5 million in Red Hat software and $485,000 in Nearmap licenses, among other software solutions. These investments are aimed at providing the AFP with the tools needed to manage large volumes of data, enhance situational awareness, and support more efficient decision-making across its operations.

Further boosting the AFP’s technological capabilities, the agency spent over $5.3 million on consultancy fees in the last financial year, with notable expenditures including $252,000 paid to Canberra-based CBR Cyber. These consultancy services are essential for ensuring that the AFP’s technology initiatives are implemented effectively and that the agency’s cybersecurity posture remains robust in the face of evolving threats.

The AFP has indicated that the full impact of the IMS will become clearer in the coming financial year, as the transition from the old system to the new platform continues. The phased introduction of the IMS is expected to result in a further increase in reported investigation numbers as more cases are individually recorded and tracked under the new system. The AFP’s annual report suggests that this trend will continue through the 2024–25 period.

Overall, the AFP’s increased investment in software and technology reflects a broader strategy to modernize its operations and strengthen its investigative capabilities. By prioritizing software solutions like IMS and enhancing its cyber capabilities, the AFP aims to improve its efficiency and effectiveness in tackling increasingly complex crimes, while also ensuring that it remains at the forefront of law enforcement technology.