Thales secures the connectivity of Highways Agency

Under the contract, let under the Government’s Public Services Network (PSN) connectivity framework, Thales will deliver a range of services to the Highways Agency including network connectivity, encryption security, Wide Area Networks Local Area Networks and remote access services for employees.

The Thales solution will enable the Highways Agency to exploit modern, secure communications that conform to the Government’s PSN standards, improving cyber-security, whilst significantly reducing ICT[1] costs and improving operational effectiveness. The backbone of the Thales solution is a secure, accredited network service that will link 49 sites across the United Kingdom.

The secure network will enable improved information sharing between Highways Agency sites, whilst supporting secure voice and improved data communications services. Thales will manage transformation and migration of all users from their existing network to the new encrypted service. Thales will provide gateway services, which will ensure the data integrity and security of information whilst allowing Highways Agency staff to work more flexibly and efficiently. Thales will also supply a high-security Remote Access Solution (RAS) to enable users to connect securely to the Highways Agency networks from remote or home based locations.

Phil Naybour, Vice President, Secure Communications and Information Systems, Thales UK, commented: “Thales is looking forward to working with the Highways Agency to deliver a network solution that will significantly reduce costs, whilst improving security and operational effectiveness. Thales aims to be a leading provider of secure network and cyber-security services for UK Government and Critical National Infrastructure. Securing this contract, one of the largest contracts awarded under PSN, helps to confirm Thales as one of the leading providers of PSN connectivity solutions where there is a requirement for enhanced security.”