The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) has a comprehensive road map for implementing and developing home, flexible and mobile working following a Socitm Consulting review. The review advised on the most appropriate and future-proof technologies for implementing mobile, flexible and home working. This included a security review, in line with government guidelines, of OGC policy and requirements. The review highlights the importance of mobile working for government departments and enables OGC to realise significant efficiencies through implementing its recommendations.
The project issues
OGC had a growing requirement for home, flexible and mobile working as a significant number of its staff work part time or flexibly from its various offices, as well as from other government and non-government offices. OGC staff also require mobile working facilities when working from home and while they are on the move. Socitm Consulting was commissioned to advise OGC on mobile working as a route to greater efficiency.
The Socitm Consulting solution
We began by interviewing key stakeholders, including OCG senior management, ICT staff and OGC suppliers. We also undertook a documentation review, including OGC documents, Socitm data and information in the public domain.
We then produced a report that identified those staff groups who are largely static, those with limited mobility requirements and those who are very mobile. We analysed the systems and applications used by mobile workers and the ease with which they can be remotely accessed. We also analysed current OGC connectivity options, security policy, and the effectiveness and security of devices used.
The report concluded by outlining the technological options for mobile working and made recommendations as to how the OGC should proceed. We identified OGC key requirements as mobile access to email, the internet and the EDRMS, and advised on the best devices and connectivity options for remote system access. We also made recommendations on the security aspects of mobile working, taking into account that OGC holds information on its network up to restricted level and is connected to the Government Secure Intranet (GSI). Accordingly, recommendations followed the GSI code of connection, as well as following the instructions of the CESG (the Information Assurance arm of GCHQ), and the Government's National Technical Authority for Information Assurance responsible for enabling secure and trusted knowledge sharing.
The benefits to the client
With our expertise in the technological requirements to maximise the effectiveness of mobile working, we were able to assist OGC with a comprehensive review of the available options for implementing and developing a secure home, flexible and mobile working policy. OGC is now optimally placed to exploit the potential of a mobile working policy and maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of flexible working practices.
Project identification
Client organisation: Office of Government Commerce
Client contact: servicedesk@ogc.gsi.gov.uk
Lead consultant: paul.fleming@socitm.gov.uk
Project no: 5053