The kit, which is comprised of Alcatel-Lucent solutions, includes a powerful Virtual Private Network (VPN) firewall, host integrity testing and checking and remote laptop security management, thus meeting a large portion of the infosecurity requirements demanded of councils prior to joining the Government Connect Secure eXtranet (GCx) in March 2009.
The GCx network is the core electronic link between local and central government departments which is now regarded as the key platform for delivering Service Transformation. Service Transformation is set to deliver a growing list of planned government efficiencies. It demands secure links to and from local authorities and Department of Work & Pensions’ Benefits and Tell Us Once systems; Department of Children, Schools and Families’ Children’s Services’ Key to Success and Free School Meals systems; as well as the Department of Justice’s Youth Offending and Asset Recovery (SOCA) systems. All local authorities must be compliant by 31st March 2009.
Clare Frost, head of marketing, Freedom Communications, commented: “Local Authorities now face an urgent deadline to meet the Government’s requirements for secure communication with GCx. Freedom is now offering a powerful security kit for CoCo compliance which will help them meet the requirements for secure connectivity by the live date of 31st March 2009 - only four months away.”