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 [email protected].