Think You Know Who’s Building Your Software? Think Again.

Aug 22

Here’s a question that doesn’t get asked enough in public safety product demonstrations: Where is your software developed?

Many agencies rightfully assume their critical software systems are coded right here in the United States. The truth is, many vendors quietly outsource the work overseas. On the surface, that might look like a cost-saver. But in practice, it can turn into a major headache for your team.

Whether you’re with a 911 center, police department, sheriff’s office, fire department, or EMS, offshore development touches every corner of public safety. And when things go wrong, the fallout isn’t on the vendor. The burden lands on your team.

Data Security: Once PII Leaves the Country, You Lose Control

Think about what your systems hold: names, addresses, birth dates, driver’s license numbers, professional standards records, audio and video files, criminal history, and even medical info. A lot of this is PII, personally identifiable information.

Here in the U.S., developers who handle sensitive public safety systems don’t just get a free pass. Whether it’s CJIS rules for law enforcement records, HIPAA for EMS patient data, or state laws that protect PII, the expectation is the same: people handling these tools and information need to be vetted and trained.

That usually means fingerprint-based background checks, thorough screenings, and security training. CJIS, for example, requires annual refresher training for developers and anyone with access to personally identifiable information.

Now compare that with a developer overseas. In some countries, the protections we take for granted in the U.S. don’t exist. Take China, for example. Under the National Intelligence Law of 2017, companies are required to hand over data to the government if asked. And recent updates to China’s broader counterespionage laws have only expanded the state’s ability to monitor and seize information. No warrant, no due process. In India, where a large amount of outsourced development happens, there are fewer requirements for background checks or ongoing security training, and data protection laws have historically been much weaker than U.S. standards.

That means your PII might be handled by people with no background checks, no screening, and no training. In some countries, there are no requirements to vet developers the way U.S. agencies do, which leaves the door open to unvetted personnel with access to sensitive systems. Once software development moves overseas, your ability to know who is working on it or how well they are screened declines rapidly.

Communication Breakdowns: Why Features Don’t Match What You Asked For

Ever asked for a fix and gotten back a clunky workaround that didn’t solve the problem? That’s a classic symptom of offshore development.

Here’s how it usually plays out: you tell your vendor rep about a feature you need. The rep tells their manager. Management sends it to the product team. The product team explains it to developers overseas. By the time it gets to the person writing the code, your request sounds completely different.

It’s the kids’ game of telephone, only the stakes are way higher. Add in time zones, cultural gaps, and language barriers, and it’s no surprise details get lost.

The thing is, public safety software isn’t just another business app. When a supervisor asks for a better way to track training, for example, it’s not about convenience. It’s about making sure staff stay certified, compliant, and ready for the job. If developers don’t understand that reality, you end up with software that looks great in a demo but falls short when implemented.

Keep in mind that some vendors don’t just outsource part of their work. Their entire code is written overseas. That means every fix, every update, every feature request runs through this broken game of telephone.

Long-Term Support: What Happens When Developers Leave?

Turnover happens everywhere. You know how long it takes to get a new dispatcher, officer, or firefighter up to speed. Now imagine that with software developers.

Their replacement has to dig through years of complex code to understand how things work. And while they’re catching up, you’re left waiting on bug fixes, feature updates, or critical security patches. If the vendor’s whole overseas team disappears, it’s even worse. You’re left hanging while they scramble to rebuild from scratch.

The risks pile up quickly. Security holes stay open longer because patches don’t arrive on time. Day-to-day work grinds to a halt when employees can’t file key reports on time, searches for critical data take forever, or core features break right when your team needs them most. These examples are why long-term support isn’t just a line in the contract. Without a stable, knowledgeable team, your agency is the one carrying the risk.

Who Really Benefits From Outsourcing?

Vendors like to say they outsource development or support to “keep costs down.” However, those savings don’t end up helping you.

Here’s what usually happens: private equity-backed vendors hire cheaper overseas developers to cut their expenses. Then they brag about bigger profits in the boardroom. Why? Because it makes them look good to investors and helps them sell or flip the company faster. It is about their bottom line, not your agency’s budget.

Meanwhile, the agencies are still paying the same price for the software, and in many cases, even more. You don’t get a discount because they have cut corners. You just get the risks, while the savings go straight to the investors.

Questions to Ask Vendors

So how do you protect yourself? Ask the hard questions up front. And if a vendor won’t give you a straight answer, that’s your warning sign.

Where is your development team located? Are they U.S.-based, and do they have real experience with public safety software?
What protection is in place for PII and CJIS data? Do the overseas developers go through background checks, fingerprinting, and annual training like they do here?
What laws apply if my data is stored overseas? Who could demand access to it?
How do you make sure developers actually understand public safety operations? Do they sit in on ride-alongs, visit dispatch centers, or talk directly with users?
What’s your plan if a developer quits? How fast can someone new step in without slowing down critical updates?
What percentage of your code was built overseas? And how much of it is still maintained there today?

Asking these questions won’t just protect your agency; it will help you spot vendors who put saving money above keeping your systems safe and reliable.

The Bottom Line

Offshore development might save vendors a few bucks, but the risks land squarely on public safety professionals. Data security, compliance, communication, and long-term support are too critical, especially when you’re already juggling dozens of different software tools.

So the next time you’re evaluating a vendor, don’t just stop at “what does the software do, and how much does it cost?” Dig deeper. Ask where and how it’s built, who’s maintaining it, and what safeguards are really in place to protect your data.

At Mission Wise, every line of code is written here in the United States by developers who live and work here, too. We don’t cut corners. We build stable, secure, and affordable software that public safety agencies can count on.

Curious about how we do it? Reach out➡️ and we’ll walk you through our process. We would also love to hear from you about the challenges you have run into with offshore development or support.

Outsourced Development is just one part of this. Click here to dive deeper into the risks of outsourced support➡️