Government Connect Programme Update
The common security platform with local authorities can become the key enabler for transformation in government. Government Connect (GC)* is a strategic partnership between national government and the local government community. 
The GCSx platform has been set up within the GSi community to encourage secure communication between English and Welsh local authorities and existing GSi customers. DWP (Department of Work and Pensions), CLG (Communities and Local Government) and DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families) have designated GC as their preferred common secure method for the electronic transfer of data between departments and local authorities, and will be funding the connections until March 2011. From April 2009 the three departments will also begin phasing out internet and postal based solutions that currently exist.
Local government and central government are different. While central government departments report to a single point through permanent secretaries and implement policy, local government implement separately against local requirements using disparate delivery mechanisms and ICT systems. While there are comparatively few large central government departments, local government are 410 separate legal entities.
Security is now seen as the main business driver for local authorities setting up a GCSx connection, and what were previously seen as blockers to change have become enablers. A common security standard based on the minimum government standard (the Manual of Protective Security) has raised the level of ICT across government, providing a common response to legal obligations and creating a common communication standard upon which efficiency savings can be implemented.
Government Connect implements government security standards, through the common Code of Connection. It uses the trusted tools already available to GSi customers to help local and central government to communicate (secure email and secure browsing), creating a wider community of trust. In turn this enables central and local government to share data and systems, re-engineer processes, drive efficiency savings and improve service delivery.
We encourage you to look at how you are already communicating with local authorities and if their secure connection to the GSi can improve this. Implementing the common security standard and using the secure connectivity should therefore be a priority for local and central government and the implementation of Government Connect an urgent issue for all local authorities.
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