VEGA extends relationship with Government Connect
programme
13 July 2010 – VEGA Consulting Services Ltd
(VEGA), a Finmeccanica company, has signed a new contract to
continue its support to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP),
and extend its 3-year involvement with the Government Connect programme.
VEGA has previously provided specialist
advice and support to Government Connect, and will now provide a
new fully-managed service called the Government Connect Residual
Operations Service (GCROS), which will operate until the end of
March 2011.
The Government Connect
programme is a key enabler of the Transformational Government
agenda. It allows central and local government to share sensitive
information online, quickly, easily, securely and accurately
through the Government Connect Secure
eXtranet (GCSX).
During its time supporting the programme,
VEGA has undertaken an independent system assurance review,
provided guidance on the GCSX system delivery and rollout, and
supported a variety of roles in Programme Support Office. This has
included providing account managers and security advisors to
support all 375 English and Welsh Local Authorities gain their
GCSX Code of Connection (CoCo)
compliance.
This latest contract extension will see a
small team of VEGA information security experts providing a managed
service for GCROS. The VEGA team comprises a Government Connect
Management Body which will provide operational oversight,
co-ordination and assurance of GCSX and associated projects, such as the
operational use of Employee Authentication Service (EAS) for DWP’s
CIS database and the high-profile GCSX / N3 Interconnection (to
enable shared services between the NHS and Local Authorities).
DWP will benefit from a comprehensive and
scalable service, comprising individuals who have a solid track
record in GC leadership roles, an extensive understanding and
detailed knowledge of GCSX, are
proficient in all the required aspects of security-related
implementation plans, and are familiar with working with secure
systems and networks.
VEGA
Managing Director, Paul MacGregor, added: “We are delighted to
continue our relationship with the Government Connect programme.
VEGA has been instrumental in helping successfully deliver a
network that allows all 375 Local Authorities across England and
Wales to securely connect to each other and central government. Our
new contract demonstrates how Government departments can
successfully work with industry to deliver best practice and
value-for-money around key challenges such as project management
and information assurance.”
Further
information
For further information, please
contact Mark Gunning on mark.gunning@vega.co.uk.