Defence Cryptosecurity Authority selects two bidders for UK's government IT security solution

Two bidders have been selected by the Defence Cryptosecurity Authority (DCA) for the Assessment Phase of the CIPHER programme. The purpose of CIPHER as specified in the Single Statement of User Need is to “provide the capability for a security management infrastructure for all grades of devices necessary to meet the needs of UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and wider government.”

It covers the provision of all high grade cryptographic devices for UK MoD to meet the communications confidentiality, availability, interoperability and data integrity needs of the UK MoD for Defence Business and Operations, and will enable the provision of a pan-Government security management infrastructure.

Logica is leading a consortium comprising QinetiQ, Serco and Ultra Electronics, all of whom bring extensive experience of security within the Defence, Public Sector and Commercial markets.

During the initial 26 month phase, the Logica consortium will carry out a comprehensive assessment of the technologies, processes and methodologies to establish how best to deliver the CIPHER programme in the future, while maintaining a vibrant UK market for the manufacture and supply of cryptographic equipment. It will also have the opportunity to bid for the subsequent delivery phase of CIPHER.

Sean Mallon, the CIPHER Programme Manager for the DCA, said: “CIPHER is an ambitious programme that seeks to exploit the skills and experience of the UK sovereign industrial base to deliver Information Assurance Components and their management over the next decade and beyond. I am looking forward to a compelling competition over the next two years that will yield the best solution for defence and wider HMG as a whole.”

The Defence Cryptosecurity Authority is the part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the development and in-service support of high-grade cryptographic equipment and electronic key management systems and the provision of key material and crypto policy.

It provides a single focus within the MoD for the acquisition and support of all cryptographic equipment, along with the provision of key material, policy advice and assurance of all projects that require a crypto solution through the Project Cryptographic Plans.

* - Article from publictechnology.net

Lets hope that this plan has a bit better luck at ensuring data security than some other organisations within the Public Sector have had recently.