Abstract: Systems consistent with the present invention provide a secure private network for accessing confidential law enforcement data over a public network. The system includes a server terminal located at a central facility for storing the accessed data and a plurality of client terminals. Each client terminal is preferably located in a different law enforcement agency, varying in jurisdiction on either a local, regional, national, or international level. The client terminals communicate with the server terminal over the public network. To ensure that the information is secure when it is transferred over the public network or when it is stored at the server terminal, the system uses multiple layers of security, including smart cards, data encryption, user authentication and firewalls.