Cisco solutions elevate resiliency for critical legislative and judicial operations

Cisco's new solutions bring secure delivery of virtual government services across multiple platforms

The new solutions combine the power of Cisco technology, including Cisco Webex video conferencing, with expertise and innovation from Cisco Customer Experience (CX) and the Cisco partner ecosystem.

To speed up access to these tools, Cisco’s Public Funding Office have increased capacity to help customers and partners navigate funding sources and accelerate projects that help them serve their communities through the pandemic.

These new solutions bring secure delivery of virtual government services across multiple platforms of previously disparate technology to provide greater efficiencies, reduce cost associated with travel, while keeping the public safer.

Prior to COVID-19, many governing bodies were legally required to meet in-person, and the shift to remote has been a new experience for many. Now, according to a new Cisco survey, over 50 per cent of government workers expect to work remotely eight or more days per month.

Governing bodies worldwide need to deliver seamless collaboration for their fully remote and hybrid legislative bodies, enabling them to convene safely and securely – while adhering to procedures steeped in law and tradition.

Webex Legislate is a new secure, purpose-built cloud solution that extends Webex’s built-in security and privacy capabilities. The new solution meets the highly specialised requirements of global legislatures, providing a “better than being there” experience to give legislators the same capabilities as on the chamber or parliamentary floor, while attending sessions from their regions and remaining close to the citizens they represent.

The solution was funded and co-developed by Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) programme, in conjunction with Irish systems integrator and Cisco partner, Davra.

The Cisco CDA programme, which is active in 37 countries around the world, delivers sustainable digital solutions in collaboration with national and local government leaders to address real societal problems.

The CDA programme provides Cisco partners a unique opportunity to co-develop and co-innovate technology solutions that align with national digital agendas around the world. Webex Legislate is an example of how partners can use the Webex software development kit to develop custom applications on top of Webex to help accelerate their customers cloud adoption.

Additionally, Cisco has achieved Federal Risk and Authorisation Management Programme (FedRAMP) authority to operate for Webex calling, meeting, and messaging solutions, allowing US federal employees and contractors to experience the work-from-anywhere benefits of cloud collaboration while meeting stringent government requirements.

These capabilities will soon be available in a single Webex app, making it easy for users to escalate messages into calls or video conferences, and share content on room video devices.

Cisco’s Connected Justice solution is the first standards-based video solution to deliver comprehensive, connected professional services to courts, correctional facilities and community corrections.

The COVID-19 pandemic made delivering critical services without physical contact essential. Cisco partners Cloverhound and TRACKtech have customised connected solutions for partners to be able to order that align to the three pillars of justice-courts, corrections, and community supervision. This solution enhances collaboration across agencies, maintains daily operations, and can help reduce recidivism.

“The beauty of Cisco’s courtroom technology, using Webex and the underlying secure infrastructure, is that the public now sees virtual courtrooms as a way to keep the wheels of justice turning, not only during COVIDd-19, but beyond,” said Elkhart county director of Information Technology Matthew Dietz. “For judges it was easy to use and serves our citizens efficiently – allowing people to take a 15-minute break to attend a hearing instead of spending a half-day in court.”