The Alabama Appellate Court System accelerates the wheels of justice with Windows 11 Enterprise

While the state constitution is the guiding principle for the Alabama Appellate Court System, the judicial institution relies on technology to keep the wheels of justice turning. The court has 150 employees in an array of roles including judges, administrative staff, and attorneys.  Over the years, the judicial landscape had evolved. The institution’s employees increasingly worked in diverse locations including their homes, remote offices across Alabama and while traveling. To accommodate changing workstyles, the court decided it was time to deliver an updated technology environment that improved ease of use while also ensuring that sensitive case information remained secure and accessible only by those with the necessary credentials.

"The need for flexible working arrangements had become increasingly important," says Blake T. Lunsford, Directory of Information Technology at the Alabama Appellate Court System. "However, some judges, clerks, attorneys, and administrative staff previously faced challenges in accessing case information remotely, making it more difficult to manage legal proceedings. We needed to equip our workforce with the tools to work effectively regardless of their physical location, while also maintaining stringent security measures."

When Blake and his team kicked off a major technology refresh initiative in May 2022, they decided to adopt Windows 11 Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Government. While Blake wanted a solution that would meet immediate needs for security and remote collaboration, he was also looking toward the future.

“Ultimately, our decision to transition to Windows 11 Enterprise was a proactive step in aligning our technology infrastructure with the future needs of our courts,” he explains. “It was a strategic move to foster innovation, streamline processes, and better serve our community through modern and secure technology.”

Introducing a game-changing paradigm with powerful security by default

The IT team worked closely with their Microsoft account and FastTrack for Microsoft 365 teams on an implementation strategy, and the project was off to a great start out of the box. Windows 11 Enterprise devices come with layers of security already enabled, reducing the need for configuration. In the past, the IT team had to re-image hundreds of PCs and Laptop devices before deployment, a time-consuming but necessary process to ensure that devices complied with the court’s security standards. That changed with Windows 11 Enterprise.

What made this rollout particularly noteworthy was the departure from our past practices,” explains Blake. “The comprehensive default security provided by Windows 11 Enterprise eliminated the need for a full re-imaging process. This was a significant advantage, saving time, resources, and minimizing disruption for our institution. This rollout methodology underscored our commitment to efficiency and security in every facet of our IT initiatives.”

Simplifying management, increasing security, and bolstering regulatory compliance

With Microsoft Intune, the institution has gained flexibility while simplifying device management. IT administrators can manage a diverse array of devices, including laptops, tablets, and smartphones, through a centralized, cloud-based console. “Windows 11 Enterprise with Microsoft Intune has streamlined device provisioning, updates, security configurations, and troubleshooting processes,” says Blake. “By centralizing these tasks, we've been able to achieve operational efficiencies, optimize resource allocation, and effectively manage our technology environment with a lean IT team.”

Modern device management is improving both efficiency and control. “Intune enables us to set up conditional access policies based on user roles, locations, and device states, ensuring that only authorized users on compliant devices can access sensitive case information,” says Blake. “The ability to manage a wide range of endpoints remotely while enforcing consistent security measures aligns seamlessly with our goal of providing a secure and agile digital environment within our judicial system.”

Ramon West, Chief Information Officer, also uses Microsoft Azure Sentinel and Microsoft Purview, a governance, compliance, and protection solution in Microsoft 365 Government for deep insight into security performance. “With Windows 11 Enterprise, Microsoft has significantly elevated our security posture by integrating advanced security mechanisms into our operational framework,” says Ramon. “This heightened security landscape not only enhances protection against potential threats but also empowers us to confidently uphold regulatory standards.”

The institution is using the full Microsoft Defender suite including Microsoft Defender for Endpoint, and Defender for Office. The tools provided by Microsoft 365 Government help protect against targeted cyberattacks and give the IT team greater visibility into the organization’s threat landscape.

He points out that end-to-end protection and visibility, combined with secure sign-on through the cloud, improves efficiency for both the IT team and the employees they support. Among other benefits, the solution has mostly replaced the existing virtual private network (VPN) since employees can sign on easily and securely through the cloud. “Windows 11 Enterprise allows us to take the onus off users and enables them to do their jobs without having to worry as much about security,” Ramon says. “Across the board, the more we integrate with Microsoft technologies, the more visibility we have into end users and endpoints.”

Protecting sensitive information with multi-factor authentication and going passwordless

Case management is also simpler with easy, secure access to mission-critical files and information. The Alabama Appellate Court System is taking advantage of multifactor authentication, and employees use Windows Hello for Business to enable biometrics or a PIN instead of a password. The enhanced credential protection reduces the risk of passwords being stolen or shared and potentially compromising sensitive information and the court’s reputation.

Conditional access policies add another layer of protection for highly sensitive court records. “Adopting Windows 11 Enterprise and Microsoft 365 has been transformative,” says Blake. “Features like multifactor authentication and a cloud-based approach ensures that our judges, clerks, attorneys, and administrative staff can work collaboratively, accessing and updating case information in real time. We can maintain uninterrupted workflows and effectively serve our judicial system's needs, regardless of physical boundaries.”

Ongoing digital innovation with AI and Azure Virtual Desktops

The Alabama Appellate Court System is dedicated to a future of digital innovation based on Windows 11 Enterprise, including artificial intelligence (AI). “We are actively engaged in exploring Copilot in Windows with Bing Chat Enterprise and Microsoft 365 Copilot,” says Blake. “Our strategic roadmap includes exciting next steps that reflect our commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance our productivity. One of our primary focuses is harnessing the power of AI to discover and create in new ways. We plan to integrate AI-driven solutions to enhance search capabilities and facilitate comprehensive legal research.”

The institution is also exploring Azure Virtual Desktop, a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution that delivers secure remote desktops to any location. The service will initially be used by service providers, with plans to expand to other roles to take advantage of the cost savings capabilities of Windows 11 multi-session.

The Alabama Appellate Court System is a venerable institution embracing a new world of transformative technology. “In essence, we are propelling our judicial system into the modern digital age while aligning with our commitment to uphold justice, embrace innovation, and serve our community with the highest standards of security, accessibility, and efficiency,” says Blake. “Windows 11 Enterprise is not just a technological upgrade; it is a game changer that reshapes the way we deliver justice and uphold the rule of law.”