NPIA awards contract for new access infrastructure

The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) has awarded a contract to Siemens Enterprise Communications Group (SEN Group), to provide forces with an identity-based access capability.
This contract is for an enabling infrastructure known as Identity and Access Management Central Services (IAMCS).  The infrastructure will be delivered and operational by January 2010.
IAMCS will allow police officers and support staff to access police information systems across the country securely. When implemented within a force, a single user will be able to access different national police systems potentially from any location. This will reduce the time spent returning to police stations to access vital policing information and so increases the time spent on frontline policing.
Other benefits will include secure exchange of electronic data between forces and the criminal justice system and savings on time and costs in areas such as password resetting.
NPIA Chief Information Officer, Richard Earland said: “This is one of the first projects that will be delivered under the NPIA’s Information Systems Improvement Strategy (ISIS) which aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of information systems across the police service.
“Easier sharing of information and intelligence directly impacts frontline policing by ensuring that police officers get the information they need, when they need it allowing them to spend more time policing the community.”
David Leighton, director of professional services at Siemens Enterprise Communications said: “We are delighted to be awarded this contract by the NPIA. Together, we have a shared vision for communications and understand the importance of ensuring that the right people get access to the right information at the right time.
“Our leading identity management solutions will enable police forces and supporting agencies in the UK to share crucial intelligence securely, benefiting all levels of policing and the general public.”