Technology modernization in public safety is often framed as an optional upgrade — something to pursue when budgets allow or when leadership feels the time is right. But in reality, standing still with outdated systems is not a neutral choice. It carries hidden costs that grow larger every year, from mounting compliance risks to cyber vulnerabilities and operational inefficiencies.
For agencies already operating under tight budgets and high expectations, the cost of doing nothing can be far greater than the cost of modernization.
Direct Costs of Inaction
Compliance Penalties
When agencies fall behind on compliance, the consequences can be severe. Under the Clery Act, fines now reach $71,545 per violation, and institutions are frequently penalized for inaccurate or incomplete reporting. Likewise, failing to meet NIBRS requirements can jeopardize federal funding opportunities, directly impacting resources available for staffing, training, and equipment. Inaction on software upgrades doesn’t just risk errors — it risks the financial stability of the agency.
Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities
Ransomware and cyberattacks on public safety agencies have surged. State and local governments reported an average $2.83 million recovery cost in 2024, more than double the previous year. Legacy RMS and CAD systems, often running on outdated on-premise servers, lack modern protections like multi-factor authentication, intrusion detection, and vulnerability monitoring. Every day these systems remain in place increases the likelihood of a costly breach.
System Outages and Failures
Operational downtime is another costly byproduct of outdated technology. Server crashes or outages can delay emergency response, put lives at risk, and create public backlash. Agencies across the U.S. have faced federal investigations and penalties after 911 outages prevented thousands of calls from going through. For public safety leaders, the cost of downtime is measured not just in dollars but in community trust.
Indirect Costs of Inaction
Lost Efficiency
Manual reporting processes drain valuable staff hours. Officers and administrators often spend dozens of hours per week on redundant data entry for Clery and NIBRS reporting. Dispatchers deal with slower call-routing and repeated data re-entry across siloed systems. These inefficiencies divert resources from the very mission agencies are tasked with: protecting communities.
Missed Opportunities
Modern systems unlock capabilities legacy tools can’t match. Real-time analytics allow agencies to track trends, predict crime patterns, and allocate resources strategically. CAD-to-CAD interoperability speeds up mutual aid during large-scale incidents. Agencies that delay modernization instead of pushing for stakeholder support miss out on grants, data insights, and operational advantages their peers are already leveraging.
Accumulated Technical Debt
Each year of inaction adds layers of technical debt. Agencies spend more for their IT professionals to patch outdated servers, maintain unsupported software, and integrate incompatible tools. Over time, these stopgap measures create a fragile infrastructure that is more expensive and riskier to maintain than a modern, unified solution.
The Long-Term Risk Equation
Public safety agencies operate in one of the highest-risk technology environments. The combination of compliance fines, cyberattacks, and system outages creates a multimillion-dollar risk profile. When leaders weigh the probability of these events against the cost of modernization, it becomes clear that doing nothing is the most expensive option of all.
How ARMS Mitigates the Cost of Inaction
ARMS is designed to directly address the challenges agencies face when relying on outdated systems:
- Compliance Automation: Built-in NIBRS and Clery reporting tools reduce manual effort, minimize errors, and protect against costly fines.
- Cybersecurity Strength: Hosted in the Microsoft Azure Government cloud, ARMS SaaS includes multi-factor authentication, intrusion detection, and proactive updates to safeguard sensitive data.
- Operational Reliability: Cloud hosting eliminates the risks of on-premise server failures, providing high availability and disaster recovery.
- Efficiency Gains: Fully integrated CAD/RMS modules streamline workflows, while mobile access ensures officers can enter and retrieve data in real time.
- Future-Proofing: ARMS continuously evolves with compliance updates, new integrations, and customer-driven enhancements, ensuring agencies never fall behind again.
Modernize Now, Protect Tomorrow
The hidden costs of inaction — fines, cyberattacks, downtime, inefficiency, and technical debt — add up quickly. For public safety agencies, modernization isn’t just about upgrading technology; it’s about safeguarding compliance, protecting communities, and ensuring operational resilience.
Choosing to modernize with ARMS is more than a cost decision. It’s a commitment to efficiency, accountability, and preparedness for the challenges ahead. The cost of standing still is simply too high.
Contact ARMS today to learn how your agency can modernize to protect tomorrow’s citizens.
