Business
Transformation requires recognised standards of information security and trusted communication links across government. Once secure and trusted links are established across government there are limitless Service Transformation opportunities that can be exploited to establish real shared services and achieve significant service improvements and efficiency savings. As a member of the GSi family GCSx provides LAs with a recognised and trusted communication link to central and local government.
Regulatory compliance
Local authorities handle “sensitive personal data” and data protectively marked as RESTRICTED by central government. This data is typically provided by citizens to government because they are obliged to provide it.
The Data Protection Act requires that such “sensitive personal data” is protected. Authorities handling and transferring sensitive personal data, but which do not comply with recognised standards of Information Security management and do not use the most secure methods of transfer available are at risk of non-compliance.
The Information Commissioner now holds powers to carry out spot checks and to impose fines.
More information...
Government Policy and LGA Guidelines
Central Government must comply with the data handling guidelines defined by the Cabinet Office. These guidelines clarify and reinforce the Data Protection Act for government controlled data. Equivalent guidelines for local government will soon be released by the Local Government Association.
DWP has already concluded it will only provide RESTRICTED data to authorities via a government approved connection from 31st March 2009. Other Departments are likely to follow suit.
More information...
Service Transformation
The service transformation agenda is dominated by initiatives relying on data transfer. Correspondingly, such initiatives need trusted communications channels in order to achieve their potential. There is a rapidly growing list of real opportunities that are wholly dependent on Government Connect.
More information...
Strategic alignment
Government strategy is to procure a “Public Sector Network”, the first stage of this is a project called “Ocean”, which will replace the GSi in 2011. Ocean and the Public Sector Network will enable more seamless connectivity throughout government and the wider public sector. Being part of Government Connect will not only provide the benefits listed above, but will ensure they are consolidated and supported through the next generation government network.
Is there a "do nothing option"?
Do nothing means not investing in recognised standards of Information Security and not taking a Government Connect connection. In this scenario the outlook for the authority is:-
- Possible short term cost avoidance – not meeting the Code of Connection / implementing ISO 27001
- Increased risk of data loss and corresponding fines / enforcement action by Information Commissioner
- Linked to above risk of reputation damage and further loss in public confidence
- Operational difficulty providing services such as Housing and Council Tax benefit, Children’s Services and civil contingency planning.
- Reduced ability to make strategic plans for long term efficiency savings and service improvements through new initiatives enabled by a secure infrastructure.
- Increased cost of implementing Code of Connection at future point in time as Government Connect programme services – such as free consultancy - are time limited
- Eventual future substantial modernisation investment required to catch-up on lost ground.
©2008 Government Connect |