The Serious Crimes Investigation Agency (SCI Agency), set to open on the 2nd of next month, appears likely to launch without fully completing its internal computer and communications networks. With construction to build the business network, telephone network, and security equipment for investigators at headquarters and regional offices scheduled to continue through the end of the year, concerns are rising that early operations could face disruptions.
◇Opening on Oct. 2, but computer and communications networks won't be ready until year's end
According to legal sources, on the 14th the SCI Agency's launch task force signed a contract worth 6.1523 billion won on the 11th for building its internal information and communications infrastructure. The project is slated to end Dec. 31 this year. That is about three months after opening day.
The request for proposals prepared by the task force states that the contractor must establish the business, internet, and telephone networks so that investigators at headquarters, the Seoul office, and five regional offices can use work PCs, the internet, and administrative phones. It must also install communication lines in office spaces and provide security equipment such as firewalls and intrusion prevention systems.
The task force plans to prioritize building the essential computer and communications environment needed for investigators to begin work before opening. It will then continue installing the remaining equipment, connecting communication lines, and conducting tests through year's end.
The implementation timeline in the request for proposals shows that network and telephone equipment installation, office-space communication line installation and testing, and telephone installation and testing will proceed for four months from the contract date. In the final phase, the agency will conduct acceptance procedures, including checking whether the built systems operate normally.
The tight schedule is evident in the request for proposals. The task force specified in its project strategy that information and communications equipment should be built "in the shortest possible time." It also said it would enable daytime and nighttime work if necessary.
◇KICS to be supplemented after opening as well… "IT stability is essential for investigative agencies"
Work to build the Criminal Justice Information System (KICS) that investigators will use for case handling is also proceeding on a tight timeline. The task force initially sought to begin building an SCI Agency–specific KICS in May, but after repeated bid failures, it did not sign a contract until June.
Accordingly, KICS will reportedly prioritize core functions for use at opening, while comparatively lower-priority functions will be supplemented sequentially after opening.
In legal circles, some say the agency should ensure sufficient stability of its IT and communications infrastructure before opening, given it must handle various serious-crime investigations immediately after launch. In particular, because investigative agencies handle case records, personal information, and investigative secrets, any problems during communication linkage and security configuration between headquarters and regional offices could lead to operational disruptions.
A cybersecurity attorney said, "For investigative agencies, security is paramount, so network stability is essential," adding, "Opening first and then stabilizing the network is worrisome in some respects."
An official with the SCI Agency launch task force said, "We will first set up the essential office space and work environment, and construction to address remaining gaps will continue through the end of the year."