Michael J. D. Vermeer

Preparing for a Post-Quantum Future

Future quantum computers could create a significant national security risk by enabling attackers to break a foundational element of security in America's networked communication infrastructure. The United States is taking strides to address national security risks from quantum computing, but there is a long road ahead.

Hack Post-Quantum Cryptography Now So That Bad Actors Don't Do It Later

The U.S. government should consider offering a public cash bounty to anyone who can crack the new forms of encryption that are being rolled out to defend against quantum computers. If a bounty helps catch a vulnerability before it's deployed, then the modest cost of the bounty could prevent much higher costs down the line.

Report

Identifying and Prioritizing Systemically Important Entities: Advancing Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience

This report helps the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency codify the concept of systemically important critical infrastructure by documenting the work surrounding systemic risks and cyber risks in software supply chains.

Report

Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Technical Violations of Probation or Parole Supervision

This report presents findings from an expert panel that explored ways to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in the handling of technical violations of probation and parole — violations that, while not criminal, can be a driver of incarceration.

Commentary

Supporting the Future Effectiveness of Post-Quantum Cryptography

The authors of this Perspective describe the search for quantum-resistant cryptographic methods, explain options for securing communication from quantum attacks, and argue that research will benefit from open access to results.

Report

Evaluating Cryptographic Vulnerabilities Created by Quantum Computing in Industrial Control Systems

Migration to post-quantum cryptography to prepare for future capabilities of quantum computing has implications for industrial control and operational technology systems. These implications affect how system owners should prepare for the migration.

Report

Building a Joint Cyber Weapons Acquisition Program in the Marine Corps: Software Acquisition Pathway Lessons Learned

The authors present lessons learned from an effort to inform future U.S. Marine Corps Joint Cyber Weapon program acquisition information requirements and educate Department of Defense Software Acquisition Pathway program planning efforts.

Report

Indigent Defense Environmental Scan: Identifying Research Needs to Support Fair and Equitable Indigent Defense in the United States

The systems that provide counsel for indigent adult and juvenile defendants in the United States vary across states, localities, and jurisdictions. Researchers developed priorities to advance knowledge around effective indigent defense strategies.

Report

Improving Employment Outcomes for the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Returning Citizens

Gainful employment is a key factor in reducing recidivism, but individuals released from federal prisons face significant barriers to employment. This report presents findings from a workshop held to explore related challenges and opportunities.

Draft

Estimating the Energy Requirements to Operate a Cryptanalytically Relevant Quantum Computer

Estimates the energy requirements to operate a cryptanalytically relevant quantum computer.

Report

Optimizing Portfolio-Level Modernization Investment: An Overview of the Aim Point Investment Model (APIM)

This report introduces the Aim Point Investment Model, which helps decisionmakers allocate portfolio-level resources based on existing Army data sources, subject to constraints on the U.S. Army's ability to employ those resources productively.

Report

A Cost Estimating Framework for U.S. Marine Corps Joint Cyber Weapons

To help improve leadership decisionmaking related to the costs of offensive cyber operations acquisition, the authors developed a life-cycle cost-estimating framework for the U.S. Marine Corps and conducted exploratory modeling and simulation.

Report

Cryptocurrency and Blockchain Needs for Law Enforcement

As cryptocurrency is increasingly used for both legitimate business transactions and illegal activities, law enforcement must adapt. In this report, researchers describe cryptocurrency-related research and development needs for law enforcement.

Report

Reducing Deaths in Law Enforcement Custody: Identifying High-Priority Needs for the Criminal Justice System

On behalf of the National Institute of Justice, RTI International and the RAND Corporation convened a panel of experts to discuss challenges and potential solutions to developing and using a national data collection of law enforcement–related deaths.

Report

Amplifying the Speakers: Identifying High-Priority Needs for Law Enforcement Public Information Officers

Law enforcement communications staff are crucial to meeting public expectations for transparency and responsiveness to concerns, but little is known about their needs. Researchers held a workshop to identify priorities for improving the profession.

Report

Preparing for Post-Quantum Critical Infrastructure: Assessments of Quantum Computing Vulnerabilities of National Critical Functions

Researchers assessed quantum computing vulnerabilities in the 55 national critical functions (NCFs) for urgency, scope, cost per organization, other mitigating or exacerbating factors, and priority for assistance. This report documents the findings.

Report

Intimate Partner Abuse Solution Programs: Identifying High-Priority Needs Within the Criminal Justice System for Programs Focused on Intimate Partner Violence Prevention

Despite widespread use of intimate partner abuse solution programs by court systems and communities, there remains limited information on their effectiveness. The authors convened a panel of experts to better understand the needs of these programs.

Report

Identifying Critical IT Products and Services

Researchers have identified the software and businesses that provide critical information technology products and services and developed a framework to continue this analysis as technology evolves. They assessed both software risk and business risk.

Report

Leveraging Technology to Support Prisoner Reentry

The corrections sector increasingly uses technology to provide supervision services and programs for individuals reentering the community after incarceration. Experts identified strategies for employing technology to improve reentry outcomes.

Report

Sex Trafficking and Substance Use: Identifying High-Priority Needs Within the Criminal Justice System

In this report, RAND researchers investigate the intersections between substance use disorder and sex trafficking and discuss how these issues complicate victims' identification and screening and their ability to access treatment and legal remedies.

Report

Community Supervision in a Digital World: Challenges and Opportunities

Increased access to technology and corresponding increases in computer-facilitated crime have resulted in a greater number of tech-savvy individuals under supervision. Experts identified strategies to help officers manage their online activity.

Research Brief

How the Criminal Justice System's COVID-19 Response Has Provided Valuable Lessons for Broader Reform: Looking to the Future

As the COVID-19 pandemic recedes, stakeholders have an opportunity to reimagine the justice system. This brief presents key lessons learned and recommendations from participants in workshops related to different aspects of the justice system.

Report

Analyzing a More Resilient National Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Capability

The authors assess the costs associated with realistic threats to domestic, nonmilitary uses of the Global Positioning System (GPS), and consider possible additions to the positioning, navigation, and timing ecosystem in light of those costs.

Report

Online Dispute Resolution: Perspectives to Support Successful Implementation and Outcomes in Court Proceedings

Online dispute resolution provides a forum for the resolution of court matters that was especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. A panel of experts identified strategies to improve access to justice using these platforms.

Research Brief

Promising Practices from Community Corrections Organizations' COVID-19 Response: Ensuring Safety in the Community

This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for community supervision organizations, how they adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.

Research Brief

Promising Practices from Law Enforcement's COVID-19 Response: Protecting the Public

This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for law enforcement agencies, how they adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.

Research Brief

Promising Practices from the Court System's COVID-19 Response: Ensuring Access to Justice While Protecting Public Health

This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for the court system, how courts adapted to those challenges, and a discussion of which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.

Research Brief

Promising Practices from the Institutional Corrections System's COVID-19 Response: Managing Safety and Security on the Inside

This brief highlights the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic created, shows how corrections agencies adapted to the challenges, describes which adaptations may hold promise, and provides evaluations to demonstrate the efficacy of such adaptations.

Research Brief

Promising Practices from Victim Services Providers' COVID-19 Response: Protecting Victims and Those Who Serve Them

This brief highlights the challenges that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic posed for victims services providers, describes how they adapted to those challenges, and discusses which adaptations might hold promise after the pandemic.

Report

The U.S. Criminal Justice System in the Pandemic Era and Beyond: Taking Stock of Efforts to Maintain Safety and Justice Through the COVID-19 Pandemic and Prepare for Future Challenges

The Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative convened a set of workshops with justice practitioners to take stock of responses to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. They identified key challenges, system innovations, and lessons for the future.

Report

Wearable Sensor Technology and Potential Uses Within Law Enforcement: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Improve Officer Safety, Health, and Wellness Using Wearable Sensor Technology

Data from wearable sensor technologies (WSTs) could be used to assess and improve police officer health and well-being. A panel of experts identified ways to implement WSTs in law enforcement settings, evaluate them, and obtain buy-in from officers.

Report

Risk and Needs Assessments in Prisons: Identifying High-Priority Needs for Using Evidence-Based Practices

Prison systems are underresourced and might lack the capacity to implement risk and needs assessments that reduce recidivism. A panel of experts identified ways to address and improve the use of these tools in prisons.

Report

The Law Enforcement Response to Homelessness: Identifying High-Priority Needs to Improve Law Enforcement Strategies for Addressing Homelessness

Police often are the first (and sometimes the only) point of government contact for persons experiencing homelessness. A panel of experts identified ways to address and improve their response to homelessness.

Commentary

Would Law Enforcement Leaders Support Defunding the Police? Probably — If Communities Ask Police to Solve Fewer Problems

The authors describe police leaders' views on defunding the police -- that is, budgeting less money for police and more for other public safety strategies -- and explain why revisiting law enforcement's role in society could have broad appeal.

Report

Autonomous Road Vehicles and Law Enforcement: Identifying High-Priority Needs for Law Enforcement Interactions With Autonomous Vehicles Within the Next Five Years

Autonomous vehicles promise many benefits, but questions remain about how law enforcement officers will interact with them. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.

Report

Countering Technology-Facilitated Abuse: Criminal Justice Strategies for Combating Nonconsensual Pornography, Sextortion, Doxing, and Swatting

Online platforms that enable users to interact virtually have given rise to new methods of perpetrating harassment and other criminal behaviors that compromise victims' privacy and safety. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.

Report

Countering Drug-Impaired Driving: Addressing the Complexities of Gathering and Presenting Evidence in Drug-Impaired Driving Cases

Driving under the influence of drugs is a serious and growing threat to public safety. Addressing these cases involves identifying impairment and presenting complex evidence in court. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.

Report

Data-Informed Jails: Challenges and Opportunities

Jails produce vast amounts of data because of the expanding scope of services they are expected to provide. However, most jails are not using these data to improve operations or outcomes. A panel of experts identified ways to address this challenge.

Report

Securing Communications in the Quantum Computing Age: Managing the Risks to Encryption

What risks are posed by the development of quantum computers able to crack digital encryption, and how quickly will postquantum cryptography (PQC) that can withstand quantum attacks be standardized and adopted to protect communications security?

Report

Fostering Innovation Across the U.S. Criminal Justice System: Identifying Opportunities to Improve Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Fairness

In this report, the authors draw on panel discussions from the five-year Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative and focus on needs that apply to law enforcement, the courts, and corrections agencies.

Report

Naval Aviation Maintenance System: Analysis of Alternatives

This report presents the results of an analysis of alternatives for fielding the Naval Aviation Maintenance System, which is intended to help modernize the U.S. Navy's afloat and ashore maintenance capabilities.

Tool

A Database of Criminal Justice Needs for Innovation: Requirements for Developers and Funders: User Guide

Since 2015, the Priority Criminal Justice Needs Initiative has published more than 20 reports identifying and prioritizing criminal justice needs for innovation. This product provides a database of all of the needs generated during the Initiative.

Report

Air Force Capability Development Planning: Analytical Methods to Support Investment Decisions

RAND Project AIR FORCE examines analytical methods for Air Force capability development planning under conditions of deep uncertainty.

Report

Law Enforcement Efforts to Fight the Opioid Crisis: Convening Police Leaders, Multidisciplinary Partners, and Researchers to Identify Promising Practices and to Inform a Research Agenda

An expert panel of law enforcement leaders identified promising efforts to combat the opioid crisis, including connecting people to needed medications, effectively collaborating to achieve community buy-in, and protecting officers on the front lines.

Report

Fostering Innovation to Respond to Top Challenges in Law Enforcement: Proceedings of the National Institute of Justice's 2018 Chiefs' Panel on Priority Law Enforcement Issues and Needs

An expert panel of law enforcement leaders identified challenges facing law enforcement today, and their priorities are presented in this report. Panel members discussed needs for innovation that, if pursued, might help resolve those challenges.

Report

Using Video Analytics and Sensor Fusion in Law Enforcement: Building a Research Agenda That Includes Business Cases, Privacy and Civil Rights Protections, and Needs for Innovation

Video technology is changing the ways that law enforcement works and interacts with the public. In this report, the authors explore some of the challenges posed and innovation needs in this emerging area.

Report

Using Social Media and Social Network Analysis in Law Enforcement: Creating a Research Agenda, Including Business Cases, Protections, and Technology Needs

This report describes the proceedings of an April 2017 expert workshop on the use of social media and social network analysis in law enforcement.

Report

Identifying Law Enforcement Needs for Access to Digital Evidence in Remote Data Centers

Researchers discuss the challenge of accessing data in remote data centers, summarize the discussion of an expert panel, and provide a list of needs identified and prioritized by the panel to inform concerned communities and stakeholders.

Report

Strategies to Mitigate the Impact of Electronic Communication and Electronic Devices on the Right to a Fair Trial

In this report, an expert panel identifies ways that electronic communication can impact the right to a fair trial and recommends strategies to protect witnesses from intimidation and jurors from compromising their independence.

Report

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe: Program Progress in 2015–2016

National Guard Youth ChalleNGe is a residential, quasi-military program for young people at risk of dropping out of high school. This report provides information on recent ChalleNGe participants and develops metrics of program success.