Thales Team selected for CIPHER crypto programme assessment phase
17 November 2008
The CIPHER programme will 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. CIPHER addresses the provision of high-grade cryptographic devices for UK MoD to meet the communications confidentiality, availability, interoperability and integrity needs of the UK MoD for Defence Business and Operations. The CIPHER programme will enable the delivery of a pan-Government security management infrastructure.
The Thales Team utilises their Information Assurance (IA) domain expertise and understanding of the MoD business in an operational context. The team has a track record in the delivery of complex, secure information services, and will use their experience in service based outsourcing and business change for the benefit of the MoD and government CIPHER clients.
The Thales Team recognises the compelling drivers for CIPHER and has spent the three months prior to contract award mobilising the team to ensure a fast start to an initial 26-month phase. This phase is to enable a successful procurement of the CIPHER programme. The team will work collaboratively with the MoD to develop a single statement of requirements. This assessment phase will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the technologies, processes and methodologies to establish how best to deliver the CIPHER programme in
the future.
Maintaining a vibrant UK market for the manufacture and supply of information assurance capabilities will be critical to CIPHER's success. On 13 November The Thales Team hosted an industry day for nearly 50 companies at the Defence Capability Centre in Shrivenham, Wiltshire. At this event, held to ensure inclusion, facilitate innovation and enable agnostic supply from the UK industrial base, Jacqui Chard, Head of Capability, Cabinet Office Central Sponsor for Information Assurance said: "Cipher is an opportunity for Government to maximise the contribution that information makes to its business. Today we start the Assessment Phase".
Sean Mallon, the CIPHER Programme Manager for the DCA says: `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 government as a whole.`
Alex Dorrian, CEO Thales UK, says: `The CIPHER programme provides a robust analysis of current and future requirements for Information Assurance that will enable the most effective and affordable solution to be delivered. The outcome of the AP will result in a transformation in the way government provides Information Assurance services and tangible benefits to the CIPHER consumers.`
- ends -
Notes to editors
Thales is a world leader in the provision of Information and Communication Systems Security solutions for Government and Defence customers worldwide. We have been working with the UK MoD for over 40 years and have an unrivalled track record in protecting information from ‘Sensitive but Unclassified' up to ‘Top Secret', as well as a comprehensive portfolio of security services.
About Thales and Thales UK
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales' leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. To this end, the group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues in excess of £8.3 bn.
Thales UK employs 9,000 staff based at more than 50 locations. In 2007 Thales UK's revenues were over £1.2 bn.
About BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.
In the year ended 31 March 2008, BT Group plc's revenue was £20,704 million with profit before taxation and specific items of £2,506 million.British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt
About Fujitsu Services
Fujitsu Services is a leading European information technology services company. Its business is helping its customers realise the value of information technology through the application of consulting, systems integration and managed service contracts. It serves customers in the private and public sectors across Europe including retail, financial services, healthcare and government. With an annual turnover of £2.56 billion (€3.22 billion), it employs over 21,000 people across 20 countries. Headquartered in London, Fujitsu Services is the European IT services arm of the US$53 billion (€32.9 billion) Fujitsu Group. Visit uk.fujitsu.com for more information.
Press contact:
Thales UK
Kathryn Bell
Mob: +44 7813 903274
Email: kathryn.bell@thalesgroup.com
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
